Twenty20 sponsor announced

The ECB have announced that Friends Provident will become the first title sponsors of their domestic Twenty20 competition.

ECB announce Friends Provident as Twenty20 sponsors

The England and Wales Cricket Board have announced that Friends Provident will become the first title sponsors of their domestic Twenty20 competition next year. The 50-over format has been sponsored by the life and pensions company for the past three years as the Friends Provident Trophy. However, with the advent of a 40-over competition replacing the 50, the sponsors have identified their preferred branding as Twenty20. "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," said ECB commercial director John Perera. "Friends Provident have shown a commitment to the sport for more than 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." Next season's Friends Provident Twenty20 is due to begin in June, with the finals scheduled for August at the Rose Bowl. "We are thrilled to be able to build on our existing involvement with the ECB," added Trevor Matthews, chief executive of Friends Provident. "The new Friends Provident T20 marks an exciting development for the sport, and we are delighted to be supporting this new phase."