The ICC Global Cricket Academy at Dubai Sports City, positioning itself as an east-meets-west focal point for international cricketing excellence, is targeting a November launch.
The floodlights are up, HawkEye and video cameras are currently being installed and gym equipment will be moved in next week.
There's no debate about the use of technology in cricket here, with an integrated technology suite featuring digital data capture, and video and digital analysis providing real-time playback, and a new dimension for reviewing technique for players and officials alike.
If you can't improve your game at this comprehensive Academy, you might have to hang up your boots. Alongside the indoor training area, seven indoor practice pitches and indoor practice fielding facility, are 38 outdoor practice pitches (28 turf practice wickets and 10 artificial practice wickets), class rooms, meeting rooms, two cricket ovals, swimming pool and other leisure facilities.
The Academy will provide programmes and courses for players, coaches, umpires, curators and administrators from across the ICC’s 104 member countries, while local, regional and international teams will gain competitive experience through tournaments.
Local junior and senior cricketers will have the opportunity to participate in GCA programs in order to learn from the game’s elite.
The Academy's wide-ranging remit is to help elite umpires undertake scientific review of decisions to improve performance, provide top coaches with support and educational opportunities, enable curators to exchange ideas and expertise, and inspire administrators to raise global standards.
A team of internationally experienced coaches will be led by former Aussie wicketkeeping great and cricket academy director, Rod Marsh.
Turf and indoor pitches will replicate the varying playing surfaces found in cricketing nations around the world, providing a unique opportunity for international teams to prepare for matches in a range of conditions.
Complementing it all will be sports science and sports medicine facilities allowing players and specialist team staff to assist in fitness injury prevention and rehabilitation programs.
For those that can't tear themselves away, there are even two blocks of 'top class low-cost accommodation facilities' adjacent to the GCA, including one and two bedroom suites.
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