"Somerset are on the look out for new talent," Cricket Development Officer Andrew Moulding told me earlier today when I visited the Centre of Excellence at the County Ground.

Andrew continued: "In the near future there are a couple of opportunities for youngsters who are not known to us to come along and show us what they are capable of."

The first of these activities will be the Nat West Interactive Cricket Zone that will be part of the Royal Bath and West Show that takes place at the showground near Shepton Mallet between May 29th and June 1st.

The Cricket Development Officer told me: "The Interactive Cricket Zone will be staffed everyday by Somerset coaches, and we look forward to welcoming everybody along to the stand."

The second activity is the `Corner Festival' that takes place over the forthcoming summer half term, and is named after Tony Corner who was a great champion of youth cricket in the county.

Over three days, Sunday June 2nd, Thursday June 6th and Friday June 7th the five age groups, Under 11,12,13,14 and 15 will get together in their areas or `corners' and play against each other on a round robin basis.

Andrew Moulding told me: "The `Corner Cricket' in June is for development squads, which is a level below our county teams, so we will be hoping to unearth some new talent over the week!"

Any youngster or parent who would like to find out more about the `Corner Cricket' for 2002 should make contact with Somerset Youth Coach Pete Sanderson who is based at the Centre of Excellence in Taunton, telephone number 01823 352266, or 01823 272946.

© SOMERSET