The Academy will cater to every cricketing need and will specialise in training not only the cricketers but umpires, curators and administrators.
MOHALI: Imagine Australia preparing for a future Ashes series in Dubai or Pakistan holding a training camp ahead of a high-voltage tour in the desert country.
Such a scenario could become a distinct possibility in a few years time when the International Cricket Council's ambitious project -- the Global Cricket Academy begins its operations in early 2008.
The Academy, part of the Dubai Sports City development, will cater to every cricketing need and will specialise in training not only the cricketers but umpires, curators and administrators.
Giving details of the project at a press conference here today, ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed said the facilities will include two international standard grounds, 48 outdoor net pitches, six indoor pitches and state-of-the-art video analyses and medical facilities.
Speed said the Academy would import soil from England, Asia and Australia as part of its mission to offer attendees the chance to experience as wide a range of conditions as possible.
Former Australian wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh, who is the Director of coaching at the academy, said the idea was to make the Academy an ideal location for top teams as they prepare for tours.
Marsh said sophisticated training facilities would be of great help to the trainees who come to the Academy.
"In our days there were no coaches. Cricket is a simple game and you just have to do the basics correctly. One has to be a little careful, there is always the danger of players being over-coached."
Another of the innovations the ICC Global Academy is looking to enact is the creation of a first universal standard for cricketing qualifications.
"What we are looking to establish is a series of benchmarks that everyone can understand and recognise, something that will allow people to know exactly where they sit in the scheme of things," Marsh said.
The CEO of Dubai Sports City, U Balasubramaniam, who was also present at the press conference said "we intend to be a focal point for the game and because the Dubai Sports City will also feature a host of other sports including football, rugby, golf, hockey and tennis there will be an opportunity for all participants to learn from each other".
Marsh and Subramaniam are in India to meet stakeholders and let them know about the Academy and also get their feedbacks on specific requirements.
"In the past, people from Asian subcontinent often looked to England and Australia for the type of things we will be offering but now they will have a world class facility at their doorstep," Marsh said.
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