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Westpac has signed on as the major sponsor of Australia’s men’s and women’s cricket teams across the Test, one-day and Twenty20 formats, replacing long-term sponsor of the sport and its key rival, the Commonwealth Bank.
The sponsorship deal, which was foreshadowed late last year, commenced on July 12 and was formally announced on Thursday. It comes after a 37-year commercial relationship between CBA and cricket.
Australian cricketers will be sponsored by Westpac, from left to right: Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Alyssa Healy, Ashleigh Gardner and Sam Konstas.Credit: Cricket Australia
The Westpac logo will be on the front of the players’ shirts, and the banking giant has vowed to help grow the game.
“We’re excited to step up to the crease and back Australian cricket,” Westpac chief executive Anthony Miler said in a statement.
“Like Westpac, cricket in Australia has a long and proud history stretching back 200 years. As Australia’s oldest bank, we can’t wait to join forces with one of Australia’s oldest sports and help shape the future of this great game.”
The bank, which also has a major sponsorship deal with the NRL, did not say how much it was spending on the sponsorship, but it is reportedly worth around $40 million.
The Australia A men’s team wore Westpac logos on their shirts for a one-day international game against Sri Lanka in July.Credit: Cricket Australia
Westpac said the deal would include support for local clubs, measures to create new opportunities for women to get involved in cricket, and support for First Nations cricket talent. The bank would also be the presenting partner of the National Cricket Inclusion Championship and any international disability series in Australia.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said the cricketing body was thrilled with the new deal.
“This partnership represents a shared commitment to making a positive impact on the field and in the community. We aim to elevate the experience of fans and participants and, together, grow the game.
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“Westpac’s support will directly contribute to initiatives that elevate participation and visibility in our sport and help support our vision of making cricket a sport for all.”
When Cricket Australia last year confirmed it was moving away from the Commonwealth Bank as a key sponsor, CBA released a statement saying it was keen to continue the relationship, but Cricket Australia had “decided on commercial grounds to go in a different direction”.
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