The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has completed its final phase of selection trials to induct players into the revived State Cricket Academy, which will be opened in Thodupuzha. The selection for Under-15 players from the North Zone was held at Conorvoyal Stadium in Thalassery on Tuesday.

A total of 24 shortlisted players from Palakkad, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod attended the trial. The process was overseen by former Ranji player and selector Ranji Philips with support from State coach Diju Das and sand conditioning coach A.K. Rahul Das.

KCA secretary Vinod S. Kumar said the selection process was now complete, with 59 players assessed in total. Of them, around 20 will be inducted initially.

“This time we are focusing on quality over quantity. The goal is to produce players ready to represent the State in two years,” he said.

The State academy, which had earlier functioned across a few centres but was shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, is being relaunched with renewed focus. Thodupuzha was chosen for its dual ground facilities, one of which will be fully dedicated to academy training, Mr. Kumar said.

“Most young players now train only on turf grounds. This academy will give them more ground exposure to build all-round skills in batting, bowling, and fielding,” Mr. Kumar said.

The academy will be equipped with infrastructure including dormitories, study rooms, offices, and an indoor stadium. The construction of the facility is expected to be completed within six months. Until then, selected players will be accomodated in a rented facility, with arrangements being finalised with nearby schools for their education.

The KCA also plans to set up zonal academies in the North, Central and South regions in the coming years as feeder centres to scout and develop cricketing talent across Kerala.