BCCI) is devising a plan to offer contracts to pacers and spinners beyond the ones who are centrally contracted with the board. Plans are afoot to hand contracts to 10 pacers and spinners each in both men's and women's cricket. These identified cricketers will be groomed by the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The idea will be implemented by the senior selection committee, junior selection committee, NCA head VVS Laxman and NCA bowling coach Troy Cooley. The two selection committees will scout talent and recommend names to the NCA. There is no age bar for selection of these cricketers. They could be 17-year-olds or even 25-plus in age. The idea is keep a set of bowlers ready in the pool. NCA will take care of every need of these players. It's not yet decided how much these contracts will be worth. But sources told TOI that they could be up to Rs 50 lakh. The board has already started working on an 'emerging' programme to ensure players don't lose their way after they have played U-19 cricket. This contract system will be integrated in that programme. A similar contract system for fast bowlers has already been tried by the England and Wales Cricket board. "The NCA will monitor the growth of these players and chart their career paths. There are plans to include allrounders and wicketkeepers in the future too," a BCCI source said. New NCA worth Rs 200 croreThe new NCA campus, which is being built close to the Bengaluru airport, will cost BCCI around Rs 200 crore. The foundation stone at the 40-acre site was laid by the BCCI brass on Monday. Sources said that the project is expected to be completed in 18 months.
