Joseph: Ready to learn from the experts

West Indies dominated world cricket for around 20 years from the mid-1970s with a team combining brilliant batting with a battery of intimidating fast bowlers.

But the retirement of star names like Sir Vivian Richards, Desmond Haynes and Curtly Ambrose led to a decline in fortunes.

Defeats in England and Australia were followed by a 2-1 loss to South Africa in the recent home Test series, and they have also been outplayed in the one-day games.

Youngsters including Marlon Samuels, Chris Gayle, Daren Ganga and Ramnaresh Sarwan have been given their chance by the selectors, but the need to develop a larger pool of talent has become paramount.

The academy is the brainchild of Dr Rudi Webster, an expert in sports psychology, and he will be its first director.

Webster: Understands the psychology of cricket

He has been involved with West Indies cricket for 25 years, having managed the team during the Kerry Packer era and latterly worked with the players on their mental approach.

Bennet King, the head coach of Australian domestic champions Queensland, will be conducting clinics for the first three weeks.

Cuba baseball coaches Pedro Monet and Ernesto Sotolango have also been invited to work with the students on fielding and fitness.

But Webster is also conscious of the region's cricket heritage and is expecting past West Indies greats to pay visits to the academy for what he calls "master classes".