Leicestershire welcome talent show winner

Leicestershire will welcome the winner of reality TV show Cricket Star to Grace Road for the start of 2007 season. Sukhvir Singh, a 20-year-old pace bowler from Chandigarh, won the programme which was filmed in India and developed by Investors in Cricket.

The prize for Singh includes the experience of a first-class cricketer, although his appearances are likely to be restricted to club and second XI action.

"Sukhvir will enjoy all the privileges of a professional cricketer with us," said Leicestershire coach Tim Boon. "He will go through all the fitness testing and screening as well as practicing with the squad. We hope to place him with one of our profile clubs and play him in some Second team games."

"We will also be looking to integrate him into the local community, which is a key part of the strategy going forward in terms of developing closer links and raising our profile on the sub-continent."

Singh is the son of a bus driver and emerged from the talent show which attracted audiences of 60 million. "Sukhvir comes from a humble background but he impressed everyone with his desire to succeed," added Boon. "He has an exceptional attitude, he is very fit and very focussed on making the grade.

"He has been based at the Mohali Cricket Academy and has also worked with Dennis Lillee at the MRF Academy as well."