For further information, please contact:

Graham McKechnie
Press Officer
CricInfo Ltd.
Telephone: +44 (0)1249 700733
Email: grahamm@cricinfo.com

CricInfo.com, the world's biggest cricket web site, is to sponsor this summer's Bunbury English Schools Cricket Association (ESCA) festival, taking place at Ampleforth College, Yorkshire from 16th - 21st July. The sponsorship of the tournament is CricInfo's latest venture to support junior cricket. Earlier this year the Internet company announced a donation of 5 million Zimbabwean dollars its support of the Zimbabwean Youth Development programme.

The tournament is the most important week in Under 15 English schools' cricket and over the past 28 years, 95 per cent of England's Test players have been discovered at the festival. Four Under 15 teams from the North, South, West and Midlands will compete, with the leading players hoping to be selected for the forthcoming Under 15 World Cup to be held in July and August this year.

"The Bunbury ESCA festival is an outstanding example of what can be done to encourage the development of the youth game," said CricInfo's Chief Executive Simon King.

"Gooch, Gower, Gatting and Botham all came through this tournament, and more recently Atherton, Thorpe and Flintoff. Its value to the development of youth cricket is indisputable and we're keen to support its continued success in every way we can."

"It has always been my aim to give boys and girls in this country and throughout the world the best chance to contest their skills, exchange ideas, learn to play as a team and make lifelong friendships," said Chief Bunbury David English. "Cricket offers the perfect stage to combine these vital character forming elements. Play hard, play fair, have fun and win. We are proud and delighted to work with CricInfo whose global audience can spread the Bunbury word."

For further information, please contact:

Graham McKechnie
Press Officer
CricInfo Ltd.
Telephone: +44 (0)1249 700733
Email: grahamm@cricinfo.com