[1]The State association has decided to set up a specialist academy in Kochi and a pace bowling academy in Wayanad this year in order to improve the quality of cricket in Kerala.
Along with the proposed academies a few changes in the youth system have been recommended by the cricket development committee, informed KCA secretary T. C. Mathew.
Prime among them is the decision to replace matting wickets with turf for every selection match, expect for boys under-14 and girls under-16 from the next season.
“The move was primarily due to the shortage of grounds in the state,” said Mathew adding, “At least eight new grounds are expected to be ready by the next season and we will be able to let our kids get the feel of playing on turf wickets much earlier on their careers.”
Another impressive change is to conduct more tournaments in the State. A ‘City League’ will be held every year comprising of A-division teams that is four from Ernakulam, three from Thiruvananthapuram, two from Kannur and the champion clubs from other districts.
The state has recommended special awards to Kasargod and Pathanamthitta districts for winning the State championships in the under-19 and under-16 categories, he said.
An all-India invitation tournament for under-19 boys named after veteran cricketer Balan Pandit will be conducted, informed the State association.
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