Marsh will alter attitudes and technique

But, with every passing year, the gap seems to grow bigger and those capable of bridging it become fewer and fewer.

Australia, almost inevitably, were the first country to not only appreciate that their brightest hopes needed a finishing school, but also to do something about it.

Consequently, they founded the now world famous cricket academy and 11 of the players touring England this summer graduated from Adelaide. One of them, Glenn McGrath, said: "Going there was the major turning point of my career."

Marsh has been the establishment's chief coach for 10 years and he advised England onwhat would be necessary to create a workable copy over here.

Having gratefully taken Marsh's ideas, England Cricket Board performance director Hugh Morris came to the conclusion that all he needed then was the main man himself.

Happily, the timing proved right all round.

Marsh, who starts his threeyear term of office in October, clearly fancied a new challenge and, like his now former bosses on the other side of the world, sees nothing wrong in joining forces with the old enemy.

Indeed, the arrangement is beneficial to both countries.

England's first academy students, 16 or so of them, will be chosen by Fletcher and the other national selectors in time to take their places in October.

Then, after spending a week at Sandhurst, the plan is for them to go to Adelaide where they will spend five months with Marsh as paying guests of the Australian establishment.

The old A tours were all about practising and playing, but while these travellers will spend plenty of time on the field and in the nets, the academy concept goes well beyond cricket basics.

It is lost on no one - least of all their opponents - that just about every new Australian presented with a baggy green cap seems to be not only technically ready for the big stage, but mentally attuned as well.

What a difference to their English counterparts, who either learn as they go along or, more often than not, return somewhat shell-shocked to the calmerwaters of county cricket.

The Adelaide academy believes it must not only turn out quality cricketers but also well-rounded individuals who understand there is more to life, and their chosen sport, than leg spin and late cuts.

Of course they need to be technically and tactically proficient but England's academy, like Australia's, will also focus on teaching an understanding of physical fitness, mental toughness and what Morris calls "lifestyle management".

The first beneficiaries of this 'new' system will be, most probably, between 19 and 23, although Morris stresses the age band is flexible at both ends.

The A tour experience suggests, however, that players in their very early 20s are most likely to kick on.

On returning from Australia, they will go back to their counties, though not before personal plans - drawn up at Sandhurst - have been revised where necessary. During the English season, Marsh will constantly liaise with the players, and their coaches, to make sure that the development continues.

In addition, Marsh plans to search for uncut diamonds right down to under-15 level, so that the whole process gathers momentum.

He said: "The academy system has been fantastic for Australian cricket. I am sure the same will apply to English cricket.

Here's hoping...