Former Andhra players form body

Thirty-four domestic Andhra Pradesh players have tied up to launch the Andhra Cricket Players Association (ACPA) in an attempt to protect the welfare of cricketers in the state. The players' body will, among other duties, aim at promoting the talent of promising talent under the umbrella of the ACPA.

"We want to promote and help Andhra cricket. We former cricketers are willing to give back to this noble game through the knowledge and experience which we have learnt during all these years,'' said Prasanna Kumar, a former wicketkeeper-batsman.

Prasanna felt there had been a significant improvement in Andhra cricket and that the ACPA would further develop the game at the grassroots level. "We are the South Zone champions in Under-14 and Under-16 categories and finished runners-up in Under- 25 championship and in the Under-19 womens tournament," he said, "[and] we want to make a beginning."

GJJ Raju, another former first-class player, said women players had not been approached but that the ACPA would invite them soon.

India does not have a player association and is not affiliated to the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations.