Warne to hand out IPL contract in talent hunt

Mumbai, June 5: Australian spin legend Shane Warne will oversee the selection trials of the third season of a nationwide talent hunt, the winner of which would get a contract with the Rajasthan Royals team in the 2010 Indian Premier League.

'Cricket Star Twenty20' was launched by Royals team owners Emerging Media on Thursday. Warne, who is the captain-cum-coach of Rajasthan Royals, and Emerging Media Chairman Manoj Badale unveiled the Cricket Star Twenty20 Season 3 trophy.

The boys chosen through the hunt will be a part of the Cricket Star Academy and will also have the chance to interact, train and play with the Rajasthan Royals team.

The winner of Cricket Star Twenty20 will be awarded a contract for 2010 with the Rajasthan Royals.

"The IPL tournament and our IPL team have done phenomenally well. We received applications from over 500 towns and cities across the country last season and we foresee a resounding response yet again," Badale said.

"The youth are the future of any sport, and it's the same in cricket. Cricket Star Twenty20 will help tapping the immense potential in the country and will train them to become cricketers of tomorrow," said Warne.