IF YOU are looking for the chance to follow in the footsteps of cricketers Martin Saggers and Min Patel by bowling for Kent and England and maybe stand a chance of winning a professional contract, then get along to the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury this Wednesday, September 5.

Wednesday sees the start of crickets answer to the X-Factor; the London County Cricket Club's annual Search4 A Star competition.

The action will take place at St Lawrence between 10am and 5pm where talented and undiscovered bowlers aged between 15 and 24 will get their chance to impress a panel of judges.

Every player will get to bowl 12 balls at a set of stumps and be judged by former Kent and Leicestershire professional Darren Stevens and Vince Wells as well as former South Africa international coach Eric Simons.

Those selected to progress, will invited back to finals day at Lord's on September 15 to bowl at professional batsmen. Five winners will be invited to join the club's International XI on tour to the West Indies in October.

The field will be narrowed to two after the tour, and the successful pair will be invited to attend London County Cricket Club's winter academy in Cape Town. The overall winner will then be offered a contract with a first-class county for 2008.

For further information on Search4 A Star contact Paul Carter, director of operations, London County Cricket Club on 07971 848385.