Yorkshire announce summer trials to identify local cricketing talent

Interim director of cricket Darren Gough and representatives from Lahore Qalandars will lead the selection process with four scholarships - two male, two female, up for grabs

In summer 2022, Yorkshire Cricket will host summer trials to identify aspiring local talent.

In December, the club partnered with PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars with the aim of reducing barriers to entry into cricket.

The Qalandars are famous for their player development program which offers young players the opportunity to showcase their talent. Annually, 150 shortlisted individuals earn a spot at a nationally broadcast tournament.

Over the past three seasons, the program has engaged just under half a million players throughout Pakistan. Haris Rauf and Ahmed Daniyal, both of whom are currently representing Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash, are just two of the high profile beneficiaries.

Taking inspiration from their partners, this summer, players aged 18 and over will be invited to "demonstrate their cricketing potential" during trials across Yorkshire’s four regions.

Interim director of cricket Darren Gough and representatives from the Qalandars will form the selection panel with the most talent players given the opportunity to take part in a four-team finals day.

^{Haris Rauf is one of the beneficiaries of the Lahore Qalandars player development program [Darrian Traynor/Getty Images]}

From this group, two female players and two male players will be awarded scholarships with Yorkshire as well as being offered the opportunity to train at Lahore Qalandars’ high performance centre.

Full details and dates will be released at a later date.

Club chairman, Lord Patel, said: "Our partnership with Lahore Qalandars is an exciting moment as we continue to rebuild Yorkshire , and we are incredibly excited at the opportunity for four players to join us as a part of our new scholarship programme.

"Lack of accessibility to the sport and constrained developmental pathways into professional cricket have been among the many criticisms we have faced in recent months. While this is an initial trial, the scholarship programme is designed to help make cricket more accessible to all. We want to ensure an open and supportive pathway for aspiring talent across Yorkshire and beyond.

Gough added: "I am thrilled to be able to welcome undiscovered talent to Headingley. Across Yorkshire, and the UK, there are so many amateur clubs with fantastic standards of cricket, and I am passionate about making sure talented players from all backgrounds are given the chance to access better facilities, develop their skills, and train with some of the best players in the world.

"I cannot wait to see the standard of the players and I am sure we will be spoilt for choice for our eventual winners."

Yorkshire have, however, had to postpone their friendly fixture against the Qalandars in Lahore due to Covid-19. The fixture, originally scheduled for January 16, will be played at a later date.

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