Teething troubles at the South Zone Academy

The most striking aspect of the South Zone Cricket Academy is that a happier bunch of boys will be rare to find. Much of the credit should go to the rapport the four coaches Syed Kirmani, J Abhiram, Bharat Kumar and CS Umapathi have established with the boys. In my interactions with the boys during breaks in their training at Chepauk, I frequently came across the refrain, "All of them are so encouraging. They don't shout at us or criticise us constantly; instead they are quick to appreciate our good points and patient with us while correcting our faults." The boys are also full of praise for the excellent facilities - including the gym and swimming pool at the MRF Pace Foundation - at their disposal and the famous Tamil Nadu Cricket Association hospitality.

I found a lot of confusion all round and the usual charges of `politics' about the selection process, and as many ideas on better ways of doing things as the number of people I met, directly or indirectly connected with the academy or the ongoing camp. The chief coach Kirmani was a little disappointed that the South Zone team for the forthcoming inter-academy matches had been picked before a series of practice matches organized at the camp at Chennai had begun. Embarrassingly, some not selected in the 13 (out of a total strength of 20), performed outstandingly in these games.

The programme at the South Zone Academy is based on the model adopted by the NCA at Bangalore. Much of it is again founded on the Australian Cricket Academy model, brought to India via the MRF Pace Foundation. The physical conditioning part of it, though scientifically designed, could be hard on Indian boys, some critics feel, perhaps justifiably so. When I asked the trainees if they agreed with that viewpoint, they said that they were coping with the rigours of the camp rather well 45 days into it, though it was very tough in the beginning. Most of them have improved their physical fitness levels during this period, are learning to get used to the routine of diary-writing and slowly coming to grips with the psychology sessions. They answered me with a vociferous "yes" when I asked them if they still enjoyed their cricket. Surely, with the amount of cricket they play, these boys have no idea how exciting a new season used to be after a long summer layoff during my cricketing days.

There are arguments galore about whether the academy boys should be automatic choices for the zone teams or vice versa. State level academies may be the answer to the problem of vested interests influencing the selection of the zonal candidates, real or perceived, according to one school of thought. My own impression is that there is no shortage of sincere persons involved in the game, but also an overdose of cynicism and suspicion when the same people discuss the actions and intents of other people.

Much of the confusion surrounding the zonal academy can be put down to teething problems, and course corrections should be feasible, provided inter-state differences are cast aside by all concerned for the common good. A tall order?