Legends to provide expert advice to budding cricketers

Dubai: Local primary school children with an interest in cricket are benefiting from the experience of three legends, who have had 36 years representing their national teams over a combined 198 Test matches.

Rod Marsh, Mudassar Nazar and Dayle Hadlee have already started their third batch of the 10-week ICC Global Cricket Academy Satellite Programme, which runs parallel to the school term. Open for children in the age group of 6-12, the trio who once represented Australia, Pakistan and New Zealand respectively, are holding sessions on different weekdays, in split locations across the country, to familiarise children with the basics of the game.

These sessions began on September 28, but latecomers are welcome and will be charged according to their revised start date. So far, there are 275 children in attendance but this is expected to grow to 500 as the winter closes in.

After this the ICC GCA Unique Cricket Programme, which caters for ages 13-15 years old in course one and 16-18 years in course two, held only at Dubai Sports City, develops the older players. These courses commence from tomorrow — with limited slots.

"The UAE is cricket-crazy, there are so many expatriate children from the Subcontinent, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and England who want to learn but don't have an opportunity otherwise," said March, director of coaching.

"We want to spread the game with this satellite scheme at every end of the city and then bring everyone to the ICC GCA midweek. In the long run we want a whole load of development coaches going to schools," Marsh added.

Head coach Hadlee said that the satellite scheme started when the ICC GCA at Dubai Sports City was delayed in completion, "We had the expertise but not the facility so we took it on the road."

However the academy, an estimated $25 million development open for umpires, coaches, teams and curators from all 104 member states worldwide is fast nearing completion for the benefit of local cricket too.

Head coach Nazar said: "It would be great to see these kids on screen in the future. We once started out from scratch just like them. With decent coaching and top class facilities they're bound to make a name for themselves.

Top of gam: World-class facilities

The ICC Global Cricket Academy (ICC GCA) was officially launched on Tuesday with the world-class, state-of-the-art facilities being put through their paces for the first time in the Dubai sunshine.

Present at the launch was ICC President Sharad Pawar, ICC Vice-President Alan Isaac and several members of the ICC Board as well as ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat. There on behalf of Dubai Sports City were its founding partners. Also present was Mohammad Al Habbai, CEO of Dubailand.

ICC President Sharad Pawar said: "This outstanding academy will provide a pathway for the world's current and emerging international players to excel. It will also become the centre of excellence for cricket's best and brightest administrators, coaches, umpires and curators.

"With its state-of-the-art programmes, facilities and coaches, the ICC GCA will provide a home for a wide range of our stakeholders from both the traditional Full Members and the developing Associate and Affiliate Members. We believe the ICC GCA is key in making our great sport, even greater," said Pawar.

Bukhatir, Managing Director of Dubai Sports City said: "This is indeed a historic and momentous occasion for world cricket and another significant milestone in the evolution of Dubai Sports City. This academy project has come about through our excellent partnership with the ICC.