Search 4 A Star 2005

"The level of enthusiasm throughout our search process has been very encouraging and has highlighted the value of creating an alternative pathway for ‘talented and undiscovered cricketers’ to be identified and developed as cricketers. The Search 4 A Star programme is only the start of a long journey to becoming a top-class cricketer."
Neil Burns, Chief Executive, London County Cricket Club

In April 2005 LCCC launched it’s own version of Pop Idol 4 Cricket at Lord’s to ‘find a fast bowler’ and ‘search for a spinner’.

Nearly 500 people aged 15 to 24 entered the pilot programme designed to create greater opportunities for people who wanted to become top-class in cricket. After 31 people competed in the final at The Parks, Oxford University, on April 28th, a Development Squad of 16 bowlers was chosen to receive one-to-one support and access to Monthly Player Development Workshops.

12 players were selected to play in LCCC’s 2 Prestige Fixtures versus ECB Under 18’s at The National Academy Loughbrough and versus MCC the following day, 31st August, at Denis Compton Oval, Shenley.

After 3 off-season Player Development Workshops, the final selection process took place to identify one bowler to be fast-tracked into the professional game and three other bowlers to receive Scholarships to The NBC Cricket Academy in South Africa where they received intensive training alongside other leading Professionals and aspiring International Cricketers, for two months designed to accelerate their development towards becoming Professionals. They were part of a process that has previously contributed to developing Nasser Hussain, James Kirtley, Mathew Hoggard and Matt Prior towards their goals of becoming England Cricketers.

The winner of LCCC’s Search 4 A Star for 2005 was Tim Linley, a 23 year old fast-medium bowler from Leeds, who received a Scholarship to South Africa in January/February and a 12 month LCCC Bespoke Mentoring Support Programme. Tim has earnt himself a Professional Contract with Sussex CCC for the 2006 season. He made his first team debut against Sri Lanka, taking the opening wicket.

The Runners-Up were given a Scholarship to South Africa to attend the NBC International Academy in Cape Town with Tim Linley and other leading Professional Cricketers.

	Tim Linley Aged 23, Leeds Fast Medium Search 4 A Star 2005 Winner Scholarship to South Africa Signed a Professional Contract with Sussex CCC for 2006
	Gemaal Hussain Aged 22, Bradford Fast Search 4 A Star 2005 Runner-Up Scholarship to South Africa Has had Trials with Essex CCC, Yorkshire CCC, Sussex CCC
	Sachin Vaja Age 20, East Ham, London Wrist Spinner Search 4 A Star 2005 Runner-Up Completing his finals exams at London University

Links

Cricket Idols
Scott Reeves, Channel 4 August 2005

Bowling idols need burning desire for success
Matthew Pryor, The Times June 2005

Cricket Idol heads for Lord's
Scott Heinrich bbc.co.uk March 2005

‘‘We are delighted to be welcoming Tim Linley as a playing member of our Professional staff. We pride ourselves at Sussex on our reputation as a family club who place great emphasis on the development of all our players to help Sussex and England to achieve ongoing success. Tim is a very impressive young man who will add value to our playing staff both on and off the field. We are a leading First-Class County Club who is looking to repeat of success as 2003 County Champions as well as continue to improve our one day performances following our successful 2005 campaign when we won the Totesport League Division 2 Title. Competition for places at Hove is intense and will, I believe, contribute to the winning environment Tim will revel in.’’
Mark Robinson, Sussex Cricket Manager

‘‘I am delighted to welcome Tim Linley into my playing squad at Sussex for 2006. His determination to fight his way through and to compete in the Professional game represents the attitude I like to see in all my players. 2006 promises to be an exciting year for us at Sussex County Cricket Club and I look forward to helping Tim and all my players to develop into better cricketers to enable us to continue to be a force in English Cricket’’.
Chris Adams, Sussex Captain

‘‘This opportunity is something I dreamed about for many years and one I am determined to maximise. I owe a debt of gratitude to many people who have supported me in particular my parents and 5 brothers, my friends at Horsforth CC in Leeds and my coach at Oxford UCCE, Graham Charlesworth. The LCCC programme is a marvellous opportunity for people like me who are late starters or late developers in the game to be identified and developed by creating special opportunities for people to prove themselves in an environment that supports a person’s all-round development. I am looking forward to travelling to South Africa to accelerate my development thus giving me the very best chance of achieving the success I desire with Sussex County Cricket Club.’’
Search 4 A Star Winner Tim Linley