MCA hopes to set up exchange programme with Cricket NSW

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is looking to set up a two-way programme with Cricket New South Wales' (NSW) academy to develop young players. Apart from that, the MCA will also send an Under-19 player to the Centre for Excellence in Brisbane.

"The Centre of Excellence in Brisbane does not have an indoor school, but NSW has an academy which is excellent and has an indoor net facility," Ratnakar Shetty, MCA's treasurer, told the Hindu. "But technology-wise the MCA academy at Bandra-Kurla Complex is superior to NSW's. I have initiated dialogue with the Cricket NSW management, and the MCA will be writing to it shortly."

The National Cricket Academy sends three promising players to the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane under the Border-Gavaskar scholarship. "The three players get a chance to train for three weeks and play a few matches for the academy team. The MCA will send a player under a scholarship to be named after Dilip Sardesai."

Shetty, who is also the chief administrative officer of the Indian board, is keen on sending an Indian team to the Top End Series in Australia, a tournament in which academy and 'A' teams from different countries compete. "South Africa CEO Gerald Majola is impressed by the tournament and told me that the standard of South African juniors has improved a lot after taking part in the Top End series. The BCCI has to take a decision on this," Shetty said.