New Zealand's cricket academy may be looking to forge links with the Northern Territory Institute of Sport in Darwin.

New Zealand Cricket's director of player development Ashley Ross called into Darwin on the way home from the New Zealand A team's tour of India last month to look over facilities in Darwin and to talk with local administrators.

Darwin's proximity, and its weather during New Zealand's winter, made it a possible venue for player development, rather than players having to trek to England during the winter for matchplay.

The Northern Territory connection was used last year by CLEAR Black Caps batsman Mathew Sinclair to good advantage while Central Districts batsman Joseph Hill has been playing there this year.

"The Northern Territory Institute has received recognition world-wide for its work in heat acclimatisation and they do some very good things there," Ross said.

"It would be handy for us to do some joint venture work with them."

Ross saw prospects for New Zealand players, possibly graduates of the Cricket Academy, to spend a year playing club cricket in Darwin being monitored by a coach from New Zealand who could be sent on an exchange-type scheme.

"The NT cricket people are very keen to attract more people because they have a small player base and have been very supportive of our thinking," he said.

Ross said lateral thinking was needed on the matter. Ten to 15 years ago thinking would have been to have links in the other hemisphere, but it could be done much closer to home now.

"Just think how it would be if, like last year, our guys prepared to go and play in Africa by spending all winter inside in Christchurch. They could, in future, go to Darwin for a period of time and prepare themselves outside over there," he said.

The weather at that time of year is also more conducive to playing cricket. The temperatures are around 30-35 degrees Celsius with 40% humidity, unlike the wet season from October-February when the humidity and heat is much worse.

"The possibilities of a connection with Darwin are enormous," he said.

The Australian Cricket Board is also looking for ways to utilise Darwin and the locals are hopeful that they will be able to stage a One-Day International in Darwin.

© CricInfo