The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has today announced a four-year agreement with Liverpool Victoria, the UK's largest Friendly Society, for sponsorship of the County Championship.

The competition will be branded under Liverpool Victoria's affinity brand Frizzell, and will be known as the 'Frizzell County Championship'. The deal is worth £1m over four years plus there will be significant marketing support. Frizzell will also become sponsors of the Women's County Championship.

Tim Lamb, ECB Chief Executive, said: "I am delighted to welcome Liverpool Victoria and its Frizzell brand into cricket sponsorship. The County Championship is the oldest domestic competition and it provides the major platform for the development of our future Test Match players."

Simon Rhodes, Liverpool Victoria's Group Director - Marketing & Sales, said: "We want to make more people aware of the Frizzell brand and the competitive products and services available to members of our affinity groups. The county championship is an ideal vehicle for us to be able to achieve this.

"Frizzell has affinity relationships with a large number of professional groups, associations and trade unions, encompassing some 5.5 million people. This sponsorship gives us a great opportunity to promote our affinity group services to new and existing customers."

Current County Champions Yorkshire, who with 30 titles have won the Championship more times than any other county, begin their campaign at Headingley on Wednesday 24 April against Surrey, who were champions in 1999 and 2000 and are second place in the all-time list with 17 wins.

The 2002 Frizzell County Championship season starts on Friday 19 April. The County Championship is the oldest domestic County Cricket competition, dating back to 1890.

© England & Wales Cricket Board