Fundamental facility for cricket in Orissa received a boost with the launching of the Orissa Cricket Academy at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack today. National Cricket Academy’s Director of Cricket Operations, Dav Whatmore flew in from Bangalore to inaugurate the academy, which has been set up by Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) at a cost of Rs 6 crore. The academy features a lush green field with 10 pitches for round-the-year practice and a building with dressing, dining and office rooms. The pitches include two synthetic, two concrete and six natural turf. Of the synthetic pitches, costing around Rs 1.5 lakh each, the grass on one is designed to help pacers and the other to suit spinners. Appreciating the academy, former Australia batsman Whatmore said it would help to goom young cricketing talents of the state. ‘‘National Cricket Academy would extend help and cooperation for the development of the state academy,’’ announced Whatmore, who played once at Barabati Stadium but could not score. Former Orissa Ranji team captain Madan Mohan Mohanty, OCA president Ranjib Biswal and secretary Asirbad Behera were present at the opening ceremony. According to Biswal, the academy would function on the lines of NCA. ‘‘OCA has the target to convert it into the zonal academ,’’ he claimed. Set up over an area of about two acres, the academy would start functioning immediately with a batch of 40 trainees. BCCI has provided an assistance of Rs 3 crore for the setting up of the academy, which would be expanded shortly with the addition of a gym and accommodation for 40 players. R Srikanth has been appointed as the chief coach. He would be helped by State senior coach Akakash Khatua, bowling coach Sourajit Mohapatra, batting coach Manas Ray, fielding coach Daniel Rout and support staff including physio, trainer, doctor and video anylist.