It is only natural that there should be strong ties between the MRF Pace Foundation and the Australian Cricket Academy. Ever since Dennis Lillee was first associated as the guiding spirit behind the ambitious Chennai project about 12 years ago, there have been regular exchange programmes between the the two. Young Australian fast bowling hopefuls have come to the MRF Pace Foundation to pick up valuable tips from chief coach TA Sekhar. And the trainees at the Pace Foundation have gone to Adelaide to pick up some points at the Australian Academy where Rodney Marsh is the chief coach. Needless to say, the youngsters from both sides have benefited enormously from such visits.

Now the two programmes have officially cemented their relationship. According to a press release from TA Sekhar, the MRF Pace Foundation has signed a MoU with the Australian Cricket Academy. Aspects covered in the MoU include exchange of inforamation with regard to bowling skills, training procedures, injury prevention methods, trainees visiting and utilising facilites on exchanges and two players from each academy visiting and playing with teams of the other academy.

As a result of this MoU, two young promising fast bowlers T.Kumaran and Zakir Khan have been selected by Lille to join the Australian Cricket Academy team to play matches in Adelaide and also during a tour of New Zealand. They are expected to reach Adelaide on Thursday and the tour will be for a duration of 25 days. Undoubtedly this is a great opportunity for the trainees to gain valuable experience.