The England And Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has added global technology firm Microsoft to its sponsorship portfolio.
The focus of the agreement will be on utilising Microsoft technology to drive innovation and long-lasting change using technology across three key areas: Cricket Communities, High Performance and Cultural Transformation.
As part of the deal, digital skills training will be provided to grassroot cricket communities, which will contribute Microsoft’s ‘Get On’ campaign, which aims to help 1.5 million people build careers in technology by 2024.
The ECB will also work with Microsoft to explore how artificial intelligence, real-time data and analytics can inform the performance of England’s national teams.
The partnership is set to investigate whether ball-tracking technology can help to unearth the next generation of elite cricketers and engage more diverse talent across the whole game.
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison (pictured) said: “This partnership has the potential to transform every level of our game. The ability to drive innovation across high performance cricket will support the continued excellence of our elite teams, and the opportunities we will provide together across the whole recreational cricketing community will improve the life chances of many young people and adults.”
In January, the ECB revived its association with insurance firm LV=, as the brand signed up as title sponsor of the County Championship for the next three seasons.
John Stephenson
john@cricketinvestor.co.uk
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