Desperate to find a successor for the legendary Shane Warne, cricket authorities Down Under have discussed the idea of launching a nationwide hunt on the lines of musical reality show
Australian Idol
to unearth the country's next star tweaker.
According to a report in The Daily Telegraph, Warne, his mentor Terry Jenner and fellow former spinners Stuart MacGill and Ashley Mallett met in Brisbane to discuss the concept with Australian cricket's Centre of Excellence coach Greg Chappell.
"It was made along with a lot of other suggestions at the meeting and is not central to our strategy," said Centre of Excellence chief executive Belinda Clark.
Leading media buyer Ian Warner from Universal McCann feels such a project would be a smash-hit with the fans and might just end up finding the next Aussie spin sensation.
"I reckon it would work.
Cricket is very popular and this time of year a lot of people would watch it.
There is a precedent because soccer has done something like it and it has gone well," Warner said.
{{/usCountry}}There is a precedent because soccer has done something like it and it has gone well," Warner said.
{{/usCountry}}"Channel Nine would be the best chance of the free-to-air stations but I reckon it would be a big chance of being picked up by pay television.
It would have to be commercially viable but I reckon you would be a good chance of picking up a big sponsor," he added.