Search for stars

Essex's Sachin Vaja won the 2006 competition

Undiscovered fast bowlers and spinners are being offered the opportunity to tour the Caribbean in a unique Pop Idol-style competition.

Search 4 A Star is designed to give talented bowlers outside the county system another chance to realise their potential to become professionals.

Founded by former Leicestershire wicket-keeper Neil Burns, the scheme is running for the third successive year.

It is open to 16 to 24-year-olds in seven venues across the country.

Each bowler will have 12 balls to impress a panel of current and former professionals, who will assess whether the bowlers have the talent and commitment to succeed.

A shortlist of candidates will head to the Indoor School at Lord's in early September, where five will be chosen to tour to West Indies alongside a host of professionals on behalf of the London County Cricket Club in September.

Two of the most promising bowlers will then be offered scholarships to the NBC International Cricket Academy in Cape Town at the start of the new year.

Devon Malcolm was part of the 2006 selection panel

Fast bowler Tim Linley won the inaugural competition in 2005 and was offered a professional one-year contract with Sussex.

And 2006 winner Sachin Vaja, 22, has since been snapped up by Essex.

Off spinner Vaja has been earmarked by England spin bowling coach David Parsons as a name to watch for the future.

"There are many young cricketers between 16 and 24 who have the ability and the desire to be nurtured as cricketers who can succeed at the highest level," said Burns, chief executive of the LCCC.

"The West Indies is arguably the best place to tour in world cricket. The history, the love of the game and the unique playing and practice conditions make it such a challenging experience."