NatWest Group announced today [17 February 2000] that it is to sponsor the new annual, triangular one-day international competition which begins this summer together with a new grassroots cricket development programme.
The NatWest Series, as the international tournament will be known, will bring together England and two touring teams for a 10 match, 50 overs per side competition. In 2000 the two touring sides will be the West Indies and Zimbabwe. The competition will be played over 17 days, culminating in a showpiece Final at Lord’s on Saturday 22 July.
NatWest has agreed a three year sponsorship deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board (the ECB) for the competition which will be televised live and in full by Sky Sports with daily highlights screened on Channel 4.
The new grassroots programme aims to enhance practice facilities for young cricketers at clubs and schools. The programme includes the provision of new mobile non-turf pitches and additional ‘skill balls’ for the ECB’s
development programme.
At the same time, NatWest also announced that it will not be renewing its existing sponsorships of the NatWest Trophy, NatWest Development of Excellence programme and the NatWest England Under 19 team after the 2000 season.
Sir David Rowland, NatWest’s Chairman and Group Chief Executive said : ‘NatWest has made a significant investment in cricket over the past two decades and has enjoyed an excellent sponsorship in association with the NatWest Trophy.
‘It now makes sense to build on the success of our sponsorship not only of the NatWest Trophy, but also the 1999 Cricket World Cup. The NatWest Series is an exciting new tournament in the English Cricket calendar and NatWest is delighted to be the first company to sponsor the event.’
Lord MacLaurin, Chairman of the ECB, added : ‘Naturally we are delighted that NatWest is continuing its sponsorship of international cricket,following its successful association with last year’s World Cup. It is wonderful news to have them on board for the new one-day international series starting this summer.
‘I would also like to thank NatWest for its excellent support of domestic cricket through its sponsorship of the NatWest Trophy. We now look forward to a successful partnership on the international stage.’
The NatWest Series will be played in coloured clothing, with a white ball and black stumps. Each team plays each other three times over nine matches at venues throughout the country, three of which will be day/night games
including the opening match in Bristol between the West Indies and Zimbabwe on Thursday 6th July.
In 2001, the touring sides will be Australia and Pakistan, with India and Sri Lanka competing in 2002.
For further information:
NatWest Group Corporate Affairs
41 Lothbury
London
EC2P 2BP
(Tel) 0207 726 1941
(Fax) 0207 726 1015
NatWest Cricket Enquiries
Jolyon Armstrong Network
Nutwood House
Leys Gardens
Newbury
Berkshire RG14 1HX
(Tel) 01635 47766
(Fax) 01635 47493
(email) jolyon.net@cwcom.net
Corporate Affairs
England & Wales Cricket Board
Lord’s Cricket Ground
London NW8 8QZ
(Tel) 0207 432 1200
(Fax) 0207 286 5583