Vodafone today announced that it is to extend its association with the England and Wales Cricket Board until the end of the 2005 English season.

The new contract comes into effect on 1 October 2001 and will be worth a minimum of £12 million with additional substantial bonuses available for success in Test matches and One Day Internationals.

Vodafone has been the sponsor of the England cricket team since 1996 and the agreement has also included the sponsorship of the England A Team, the England Women's Team, the Kwik Cricket Programme and the County Challenge matches.

The new agreement will include these same elements with the exception of the County Challenge Matches, which will be replaced as Vodafone forms an association with the ECB's proposed new Cricket Academy (subject to lottery funding approval).

Vodafone's Director of Corporate Affairs, Tim Brown said, "The close co-operation that we have enjoyed with the English team and management over the past three years has been a key factor in the extensive media exposure that we have received. We are delighted that we are now able to announce our long term commitment to support the ECB in the future development of cricket at all levels."

Terry Blake, Commercial Director at the ECB said, "The involvement of a company of the size and standing of Vodafone in the game of cricket is very important to us. Their support enables vital funding of new initiatives and existing programmes which will help English cricket to compete at the very highest level over the next few years."

The new contract will commence on 1st October 2001 and end on 30 September 2005. It will include two Ashes series, one World Cup and two ICC Knock Out Tournaments.

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