A history of the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy

The Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy (CBCA), a program of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), was established in Adelaide in 1987.

It was developed as a joint initiative between the AIS and Cricket Australia to build a cricket-specific school to help prepare and educate young players for the rigours of first-class cricket.

Since its inception, the CBCA has played a crucial role in helping to develop the success of Australian teams and competitions - producing 139 first-class cricketers, 32 of which have gone on to represent Australia at either Test or one-day international level.

This list includes 13 members of Australia's 17-man World Cup champion team that defended its title in South Africa in March 2003.

Australia's latest international representatives - Michael Clarke, Nathan Hauritz and Shane Watson - graduated from the CBCA in 2000.

Through its training facilities, education programs and specialised coaching systems, the CBCA has acted as a bridge for young players making the transition to higher levels.

Each year, up to 26 of Australia's leading young cricketers have been selected to attend the CBCA as residential scholarship holders, living at the academy for two six-week blocks between April and August.

In addition, a number of other promising players are granted non-residential scholarships to work on their specialised skills in fast-bowling, spin bowling, batting or wicket-keeping.

The Australian Sports Commission and the academy's principal sponsor, the Commonwealth Bank, have and continue to provide significant funding and support for the program.

The Cricket Centre of Excellence will be operational from June 2004 with the first intake of academy scholars.