Search for a star

Devon Malcolm passes on his wealth of experience to Tim Linley

If you believe you have the talents of Freddie Flintoff or Shane Warne, you could have the opportunity to follow in their footsteps.

The London County Cricket Club (LCCC) is searching for promising cricketers between the ages of 16 and 24 to take part in a Pop Idol-style competition to find a fast bowler or spinner for the future.

The competition is aimed at giving talented players who may have been missed by cricket's scouting system another chance to impress.

The contest follows on from last year's success, where fast bowler Tim Linley beat more than 500 entrants to be crowned winner.

Linley, a 23-year-old from Leeds, went on to sign a professional contract with county champions Sussex, making his first-class debut this season.

Competition winner to join Sussex

Organisers are hoping to capitalise on the increased interest in the game following England's victory in last summer's Ashes series.

LCCC chief executive and former Leicestershire wicket-keeper Neil Burns stressed that the competition was open to anyone from any background.

And he particularly encouraged those who have given up playing cricket to give the game another go.

"Former footballer Gary Lineker was also an accomplished cricketer as well as one of England's greatest goal scorers," said Burns.

Neil Burns is one of the panel of former professionals

"He once scored 125 not out against a Mike Gatting International XI before scoring a hat-trick for Spurs against West Ham - on the same day!"

Lineker, who is also a founder member of the LCCC, also took five wickets in six balls in an under-11s match.

Burns is hoping the class of 2006 can deliver similar results. Each competitor has 12 balls to bowl at a set of stumps.

Their potential will be assessed by a panel of former professionals, including Burns, former England fast bowler Devon Malcolm and former West Indies opening batsman Phil Simmons.

The contest will be held between 24-26 May at the MCC indoor school at Lord's, and on Sunday 28 May at Wellington College in Berkshire.

For details on how to register, log on to the LCCC website:

London County Cricket Club