The National Cricket Academy was launched in Bangalore on May 1. But very soon Chennai laid a claim to hosting the NCA, thanks to an offer of ground to be made available by the Tamil Nadu government in the suburbs. However with the Karnataka government making a similar offer, it was always on the cards that Bangalore would stay as the home of the NCA, given the built in advantages of better weather and ready infrastructure.

But Chennai was always the favourite as the venue to host the Zonal branch of the NCA. And now things are getting into place for the southern metropolis hosting the zonal academy at the MA Chidambaram stadium.

In fact, Ashok Kumbhat, secretary, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, is confident that the zonal academy will start functioning in April. Talking to CricInfo on Friday, he said that the two-member committee of former Indian cricketers, Polly Umrigar and Brijesh Patel, who are consultant and coordinator of the NCA inspected the existing facilities at the stadium on Wednesday.

"They were more than happy with the facilities available. What is lacking among the list of items required for the academy is a swimming Pool," he said.

While the swimming pool could be got ready only after obtaining the sanction of the TNCA executive committee, a gymnasium and rooms to accommodate 25 trainees drawn from the six southern state units of the BCCI would be built soon, Kumbhat said.

Umrigar and Patel also insisted on visiting the accommodation where the boys are likely to be housed. They also inspected a warehouse to store academy property, according to Kumbhat. Where the practice pitches are concerned, the TNCA is more than well equipped. While only four practice pitches are needed for the academy, the TNCA has eight such wickets.

Meanwhile, G Kasturirangan and Dhiraj Parsana, members of the pitch committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India visited the Chidambaram stadium on Friday in connection with the conduct of the third Test match between India and Australia to be played from March 18 to 22. According to Kumbhat, they expressed satisfaction with the pitch and the facilities at the ground.

© CricInfo