Steve Waugh: wants to help young cricketers in India © Getty Images

Steve Waugh, the former Australian captain, is submitting plans to build a cricket city in Kolkata which would occupy 400 acres of land at Rajarhat. The township would house cricket fields, stadiums, coaching camps and residential complexes.

Waugh told the Hindustan Times: "Kolkata is a very good place and I have a strong affinity with it." Since retiring from cricket Waugh has spent a lot of time in India after growing very fond of the country while he was a player. He is involved with charities and has always expressed his desire to help youngsters.

The project is a joint venture between Waugh and the Australian bank, Mcquire. The state government has promised to provide the land and the plan is that young cricketers will be able to stay on the site while they are training at the state-of-the-art development. Waugh also hopes to encourage international coaches to come and take part.