The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) has announced that its famed cricket academy will reduce the amount of live-in training it undertakes as part of a complete overhaul of its operations. The ACB's chief executive, James Sutherland, explained that the decision followed a review of cricket development in Australia. "The plan," he said, "involves creating a Centre of Excellence for Australian cricket".

At present the cream of Australia's young players undergo a 30-week live-in scholarship, but under the proposed system they will be at the academy for shorter stints during the close season.

This would mean that more youngsters would be able to attend the academy (30 as opposed to the current 14) and the average age would be slightly increased. Sutherland added that there were no plans to move the academy from its base in Adelaide.

The review has been undertaken as a result of the increasing average age of state cricketers and to reflect the greater professionalism in the game.

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