Inculcating discipline and team spirit besides giving emphasis to fielding and physical fitness are the main themes of the South Zone Cricket Academy which was inaugurated in Chennai on May 2.

Chief coach of the Academy, Syed Kirmani, former Indian wicket keeper, said a system would be in place through this academy based on what is practised by the Australian Cricket Academy. He said 'emphasis will be given to fielding and physical fitness, which is lacking amongst the cricketers in India'. The Academy was inaugurated by Vino Mammen, Vice Chairman, MRF and Vice President, TNCA.

Stating that such facilities were not available to him, he said 'these boys are lucky that they have all the facilities and equipment to improve their standards'.

Claiming that wicket keepers would have the best inputs to hone the skills of youngsters, Kirmani said the ultimate goal is to see that these boys grow in stature to win the World Cup for India.

Countering a question whether two months were enough to take corrective methods on the techniques of the boys, as most of them would have been trained at different private academies in India, Kirmani was of the opinion that 'boys know their techniques and we might have to fine tune them.' He thanked MRF for extending their international standad facilities.

Ashok Kumbhat, convenor of the Academy said Hyderabad's Nalin Reddy (who is yet to arrive here) and T Kumar (TN) have replaced M Dharmichand (Karnataka) and YG Rao (Andhra) who have been selected to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. As for the result to be seen after the camp, Kirmani said 'we can take the horse to the water but we cannot drink for it'.

© PTI