Some of the island’s talented young cricketers will get their chance to shine on the Bermuda Smash Invitational stage this year.

As the countdown begins to the second edition of Bermuda’s newest cricket tournament, which takes place from June 1 to 8 and will feature 12 overseas players, organisers are keen to nurture upcoming talent.

So just before the star-studded final on the last day of competition, cricketers aged between 16 and 23 will take part in the Athene Future Stars Match, with interested players asked to register their interest on the Bermuda Smash Invitational website before May 9.

“The Athene-sponsored Future Stars Match holds special importance to the ideals of the organisers and sponsors,” a BSI spokesman said.

“The BSI team would like to thank Natasha Scotland-Courcy, chief executive officer and general counsel at Athene Life Re and her team.

“This is the kind of steadfast support, which will ensure not only the success of this year’s event but will also secure Bermuda’s cricketing future for decades to come.”

While the first matches in the tournament are more than a month away, the excitement starts in earnest on Friday, when the four teams select their players on Draft Night.

Hamilton Parish Hurricanes, Pembroke Panthers, Smiths Sixers and Sandys Spartans will form their squads at the CedarBridge Academy cafeteria at 7pm, with live team selections taking place alongside player reveals.

Anybody wishing to witness the draft can go along for free to see which local players will claim spots alongside overseas stars such as Steven Taylor, Raymon Reifer, Aaron Jones, Yannic Cariah, Chad Bowes and Gerhard Erasmus.

Tickets are still available for the tournament and to reserve your spot or find out more information visit the website or follow the tournament on social media platforms.