Cricket: Academy eyes internationals

There are many cricket training facilities around the world but one rated in the top three by governing body ICC is in the quiet countryside of Te Puna.

The Ben Williams Academy features cricket nets with full-sized run-ups for bowlers, totally covered and floodlit, with a top-class pace bowling machine and the only spin bowling machine in New Zealand. Throw into the mix a gym and swimming pool, acres of grounds to relax in, accommodation for 22 cricketers at a time, and a highly qualified and regarded coach in Ben Williams, then it is no wonder the ICC is interested.

Williams is hopeful it will be a host academy for the ICC Cricket Europe initiative to send players from developing cricket nations like Scotland, Ireland, Kenya and Holland to spend time staying at cricket academies around the world.

"It is between three academies in myself, Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy in South Africa and the Global Cricket Academy in Dubai," said Williams.

"We are hoping to get 12 overseas players staying here next summer under the ICC initiative. The plan is to send a balanced team of 12 players here for three months at the start of the summer and then another team in the second half.

"They would play fixtures against ND A, Auckland A, CD A plus district associate teams as well and some of them would play club cricket. It depends on what clubs require. We certainly don't want to stamp on the toes of the clubs but if they have a need for some players then they will play."

Williams first stayed at the academy in 2001 when it was run by former New Zealand player Brendon Bracewell and was home to his young son Doug, now an international player too. Williams played club cricket and rugby in the region for three years, before gaining valuable playing and coaching experience in England and Holland.

His coaching programmes cover all age groups from juniors to the Bay of Plenty senior team, and he is hopeful that the Black Caps will use the academy as their winter base.

"I hope to see New Zealand here and using the grass wickets at the Bay Oval and the communication I have had with Kane [Williamson] and Dan [Flynn] is that this would be their wet weather alternative.

"They were here last winter so hopefully that happens."