Sixteen young English Test hopefuls have arrived in Adelaide to spend four months at the Australian Cricket Academy, and were given an early indication of what the future holds from Rod Marsh.

The former Australia wicketkeeper, the first director of the English National Academy after 11 successful years at the ACA, was appointed by the England and Wales Cricket Board to help develop players more effectively for international cricket.

"They're here to toughen up," Marsh said. "If they don't get tough they might as well catch the first plane out.

"The pressure will be so intense that unless they perform at their absolute best they will never play for England," Marsh told Channel Ten Sports News.

Australia raised themselves from the cricketing doldrums to become world-beaters through their own academy, which has produced the likes of Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting.

The 16 English players selected for the first academy, which has replaced the winter A tour, are in for a month of tough fitness training.

There are barely any net sessions before their first game on November 22, against the Tasmania 2nd XI.

Marsh has brought in two Australian coaches to help train the England prospects.

The great fast bowler Dennis Lillee is joined by Terry Jenner, who nurtured Shane Warne and will advise England's slow bowlers.

Surrey's Alex Tudor welcomed the news that former Australian captain Ian Chappell will also provide specialist coaching.

"With men like Chappell around we can only get better," said the 24-year-old, who made his Test debut in 1998 but has since been plagued by injury.

© CricInfo Ltd.