English Cricket Academy to function from Nov 2001

Graham, on tour with the visiting under-19 squad as stand-in manager, obliged openly on ECB’s plans with the academy, located at Bishom Abbey, 20-km from Birmingham. In Graham’s words, the academy is a magnificent indoor structure extending outdoor training facilities too. “We (ECB) are focusing on the 19 to 22-year segment, with those `selected’ gaining entry purely by invitation,” explains Graham, who has been working with the ECB since 1979. “There would be some provisions to induct talented younger players, but that would be on a minimum,” he asserts.

According to plan, the academy would function from November to March, in which the players would get all-round training which culminates in a tour — aimed to develop and provide cricketers for the National squad.

Apart from `in-house’ training sending players abroad — like the MRF Pace Academy (Chennai) and Australia have already begun. “In January the ECB will be sending two players David Harrison (Glamorgan) and another, yet to be short listed, to Chennai.” Graham reveals

When asked about the coaches for the academy? The 56-year-old farmer Essex batsman, says “the posts are up for grabs.” Though not ruling out the involvement of hiring foreign coaches, Graham informs that the basic structure of the academy would be a manager, chief coach, assistant coaches and specialists — who time and again would come to lend their expertise tend their expertise. As far as the funding goes Graham informs that, the government has done the major share yet. “We are on the look out for commercial sponsors too.”

Moving off from the academy, Graham, an ex-National coach of the U-19s, with whom he spent nine years, spread light on the basic coaching structure in England, which begins at the age of thirteen.

“With this age group we (ECB) work closely with the England’s Schools Cricket Association (ESCA) and regional teams, comprising of 20 players each, are short-listed and offered coaching,” he explains. “No National team is picked, as it is a matter of attracting as many players into the game,” Graham goes on.

Next up is the U-14s, where annually a National Festival of Cricket is held. During the festival these regions (North, South, West and Midland’s) compete against each other. “It is here that we really start identifying the best boys and gets serious where in the number is culled down to around 20.” The U-15s segment is serious business. “Matches in terms of international opposition, strictly confined to Europe, are played,” adds Graham, boasting of his side beating India during the U-15 World Cup back home.

“Top National sides are hard to get, so in order to make the opposition tough we expose our team to older boys from European playing nations – which our U-17s follow too,” Graham adds.

The U-19s are what ECB takes seriously with focus being on the World Cup. A tour and a home series is what the ECB has made mandatory, which according to Graham is “very important.”

After the Indian tour, England host the West Indies in July-August before preparing for the World Cup (2002). Thereafter India reciprocates the current series, meaning Graham has a job on hand: “Search For Excellence” — the job he is employed for.