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Friends Provident named T20 sponsor

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced that Friends Provident, one of the UK's leading life and pensions companies, is the title sponsor for the new Twenty20 competition, the Friends Provident T20.

Friends Provident has been a long time supporter of cricket and the ECB. Following three years as title sponsor of the domestic 50 over competition (the Friends Provident Trophy), and due to a change to the domestic structure in 2010, the sponsorship of the ECB’s Twenty20 competition provides a natural evolution for Friends Provident and its involvement in domestic cricket.

The deal will run from 2010 until the end of the 2013 domestic season and will see Friends Provident receive a comprehensive range of sponsorship assets including extensive in-ground advertising through perimeter boards, replay screens and dugouts.

John Perera, ECB Commercial Director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Friends Provident as the title sponsor for the T20 and to continue to develop what is already a strong working relationship.”

He continued: “Friends Provident has shown a commitment to the sport for over a decade and the next four years will be another important period. T20 is set to be a hugely exciting competition next year and I am confident that, in partnership with Friends Provident, we will offer spectators an unforgettable season of entertaining cricket.”

Trevor Matthews, chief executive officer Friends Provident, added:  “We are thrilled to be able to build on our existing involvement with the ECB. The new Friends Provident T20 marks an exciting development for the sport and we are delighted to be supporting this new phase. Friends Provident has a long-standing association with cricket, which we continue to support from grass roots to tournament level. “

The Friends Provident T20 begins in June with the Finals Day scheduled for 14th August at The Rose Bowl, Hampshire.  A full fixture list for the 2010 domestic season will be available in due course.