CUB and ACB renew ODI partnership

Carlton and United Breweries through its brand Victoria Bitter and the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) have agreed to a new five-year sponsorship of one-day international cricket in Australia, it was announced today.

The multi-million dollar agreement, which covers the five seasons from 2001-02 to 2006-07 inclusive, will contribute heavily to the financial stability of Australian cricket into the foreseeable future.

The sponsorship provides CUB with the naming rights to each one-day international match played in Australia during the time of the agreement including signage at venues, as well as branding on the one-day international playing shirts and training apparel.

This year's competition will be known as the VB Series and is the first time since the beginning of the sponsorship in 1996 -97 that CUB has aligned the major brand with Australian cricket.

Commenting on the agreement, CUB Chief Executive Officer Jim King said: "We're delighted to be entering into a long-term association with Australian one-day international cricket, a competition that captures the imagination of thousands around the country each summer.

"The VB Series brings together two proven Australian favourites; limited-overs cricket and the Victoria Bitter brand," Mr King said.

ACB Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed said:

"The ACB prides itself on long, successful partnerships with sponsors, and in signing this agreement with CUB, we are not only contributing to the continued success of the domestic one-day international competition but Australian cricket as a whole.

"It is an encouraging sign as to the health of the Australian game when leading companies such as CUB want to be associated with cricket, particularly now that sport's demand for sponsorship is so high."

"The Australian team has enjoyed significant success since CUB began its sponsorship of the domestic one-day international competition, and with the continued support of this agreement, it can hopefully continue," Mr Speed said.

During the course of CUB's sponsorship of domestic one-day international cricket, Australia has won four of its five series at home. Pakistan were the inaugural winners in 1996 - 97, before Australia claimed victory over South Africa and New Zealand in 1997 -98, England and Sri Lanka in 1998 -99, Pakistan and India in 1999-00 and the West Indies and Zimbabwe in 2000- 2001.

This year's VB Series will see Australia take on New Zealand and South Africa. Australia has defeated New Zealand 55 times from a total of 80 encounters at one-day international level, while in 45 matches against South Africa, Australia has won on 21 occasions.

The first one-day international match to be played under CUB's new sponsorship term will be between Australia and New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 11 January 2002.

An announcement on when tickets will go on sale for VB Series matches will be made in due course.