Veteran Glamorgan seamer Steve Watkin has been appointed as the first Director of the new Welsh Cricket Academy, which will be based at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. Watkin, 37, yesterday announced his retirement as a player to take up the post - although Glamorgan intend to retain Watkin's registration as a player, just in case of an emergency. But he will start what will surely be his final first-class game against Surrey at Cardiff tomorrow. Watkin made his county debut in 1986 and his first victim was Graeme Hick. He went on to take over 900 first-class wickets - as well as more than 300 in limited-overs cricket - with a splay-footed approach that belied a rhythmical action. And he even won three Test caps, taking 11 wickets at 27.72 with a best of 4 for 65 in the win over Australia at The Oval in 1993. Not many English bowlers can claim to have dismissed Michael Slater and David Boon in successive balls. Highlights with Glamorgan included winning the Sunday League in 1993 and the Championship in 1997.

The new Academy is aimed at young cricketers who finish their training with the Cricket Board of Wales aged 16 or 17 but are not quite ready to make the step up to county cricket with Glamorgan. "We are confident the Academy structure will enable the young talent coming through to be fast-tracked through the system," said Glamorgan chief executive Mike Fatkin, "and that they can be taught what being a professional or international cricketer is all about before they actually reach the ranks of the professional staff at Glamorgan."

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