Presley polonnowita, Akash Santhosh and Desert Cubs players at a Shyam Bhatia promotional event

Coach calls for complimentary accessAlex Leach

DUBAI - The head coach of a UAE­based cricket aC'\Qemyhas called uponthe Emirates Cricket Board (ECB)to allow the game's next generationcomplimentary access to the forth­coming international action here.

Pakistan will play Sri Lanka in threeTest matches, five one-day interna­tionals (ODIs) and one T20 gameacross Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjahover the next two months.

They'll then take on England inthree Tests, four ODis and three T20encounters across January and Febru­aryin the first two venues as the sport'stop stars return to these shores again.

Those titanic tussles are sure toprove popular among the cricket­loving public here and Presley Polon­nowita, of Desert Cubs Cricket Acad­emy in Sharjah, believes sufficientspace should be made available in the

stands for the future Umar Guls andKumar Sangakarras.

"It's not only a boost for myacad­emy, but for all of the cricket-lovingkids in the country. They are hungryto see international cricket, especiallyTest cricket," he replied when askedabout the upcoming Pakistan match­es on the horizon.

"I have asked the ECB to givesome allocated areas for the boyswithin academies here to see theTest matches.

"I've requested them to send in­vitations to the academies to let thechildren in free of charge or at a verynominal cost on a specific daybecauseit's a requirement for them.

"When we were growing up, wewent to the grounds and saw themlive,with all of the discipline they hadin their batting and bowling, theirtemperaments and the passion.

"These children only see T20 thesedays, so this is a good opportunity forall of the UAEacademies to take their

children and show them that this isthe cream of cricket.

"The main thing is for the childrento see how these great cricketers play,their temperaments and what the dif­ferences are between Test cricket,T20 and one-dayers.

"It's a very good opportunity and,as a coach, I'm very happy to see thatthese tours are happening in this partof the world."

Such an initiative would also as­sist Polonnowita in his concertedattempts to bring more youngstersup through the ranks and eventuallyacross the boundary rope in the na­tional team's colours.

"My plan is to produce more crick­eters for UAE teams in the future.That's my requirement," he added.

"As a coach and a person who hasplayed cricket in this country, I'd liketo see my children one day playingcricket for UAE teams and bringingglory to the country."

alex@khaleejtimes.como

Inspired youngster comes out with bookAlex Leach

DUBAI - A budding young cricketerhas unveiled his own book at ShyamBhatia's museum here after being in­spired by the renowned enthusiast'sown written musings on the bat andball game.

Our Own English High School Shar­jah pupil Akash Santhosh, 11,pennedhis 'Cricketer's Handbook' havingbeen given Bhatia's 'Portraits of theGame' as a gift at the Bhatia-backedUlS 'Cricket for Care' finals, wherehe represented Desert Cubs CricketAcademy.

Sufficiently compelled to turn hishand to authorship thereafter, San­thosh began researching and writing

about the formats, history, laws andstars of the sport, with the very firstedition being launched at Bhatia'sJumeirah residence over the weekend.

"I was inspired by the book 'Por­traits of the Game' by Shyam Bha­tia," admitted the Desert Cubs' U12'A' player, who counts WasimAkram,Don Bradman and Sachin Tendulkaras his cricketing idols and wants thebook to act as a reference tool for hisfellow peers.

"In that, specific information hasbeen collected about. the players andmemorable moments, so I thoughtwe have to give maximum knowledgeto all of the novices, like me, and I'vesince made this book."

Santhosh's head coach at the Des­ert Cubs, Presley polonnowita, hopesthe youngster's own initiative can

encourage others in his age group toassess how else they can benefit fromtheir physical participation out in themiddle.

"It's excellent and children should

go that extra mile to think beyond batand ball," he enthused. "When youtake up the game, you play - and en­joy - it.

"But, it's alwaysbetterto think a lit­tle bit about statistics here and there,where to get information from andwhat else you can do to contribute tothe cricket world.

"These are the ways that childrenat a young age can explore and findout what they're capable of. "I'msure this is going to be a hit and theother children will think of doingsimilar things in the future."

aleX@khaleejtimes.com

KHALEEJ TIMES 02/10/2011