THE prospect of an Australian Idol-type series designed to unearth Australia's new spin stars has been raised in a strategy meeting which will shape our slow-bowling future.
The meeting, in Brisbane featuring most of nation's top spin-bowling voices including Shane Warne, Stuart MacGill, Ashley Mallett, Terry Jenner and head COE coach Greg Chappell, heard a left-field suggestion for the possibility of an Australian Idol-type series where young spin hopefuls could audition before the cameras and be assessed by former slow-bowling stars.
"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 who is preparing a paper on the future of Australian spin bowling.
Though Clark did not include the Idol idea in her recommendations leading media buyer Ian Warner from Universal McCann feels such a project would be a winner.
"I reckon it would work,'' Warner said. "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.
"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.''
But Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young last night was fearful the suggestion would create the wrong impression about Australia's spin-bowling plans.
"It was raised but it is not part of our strategy,'' said Young, who claimed CA had full confidence in its development programs. "I don't want to create the impression we are using reality television to identify the next Shane Warne.''
But you never know, we could uncover a gem! Hope it's on FTA
