Reality hits Grace Road

Hopefuls out to impress on the reality TV show 'Cricket Star'

Leicestershire can expect plenty of media attention when their LV County Championship season gets under way - and not just from the sporting press.

Tim Boon’s side have signed up the winner of Indian television talent contest ‘Cricket Star’, whose prize was an all-expenses-paid contract at Grace Road.

But how much fast bowler Sukhvir Singh - a bus driver’s son from Shahpur, near Mohali - contributes to what is expected to be a strong promotion challenge is open to debate.

Head coach Boon said: “He’s got an exceptional work ethic and appears to be very fit. He wants to learn and that’s the sort of person we want at the club.”

Despite such praise, Leicestershire, who finished fourth in the division last season, had already signed seam bowler RP Singh and leg-spinner Mansoor Amjad as their overseas players for the season, meaning Sukhvir will almost certainly be limited to second XI appearances.

“He will go through all the fitness testing and screening as well as practising with the squad,” Boon added.

“He 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.”

Sukhvir is not the only rising star in the Leicestershire ranks, with young England seamer Stuart Broad once again expected to play a key role after his hugely impressive contribution last season.

Where Leicestershire may struggle, however, is in their batting, with a lack of transfer activity leaving them relying on Hylton Ackerman’s runs at the top of the order.

The Twenty20 Cup may represent their best chance of success - they have won the competition twice in the last three seasons - although much will depend of how they cope with Darren Maddy’s defection to Warwickshire.