ECB launches Cockspur Club T20

The England and Wales Cricket Board today confirmed a new Twenty20 competition for ECB Premier League clubs called Cockspur Club Twenty20.

Cockspur Rum already sponsor the 45-over ECB National Club Championship competition known as The Cockspur Cup.

Premier League teams have been competing regionally this month, aiming to progress to regional finals, from which the four regional winners will be found.

The four regional winners are invited to play at Cardiff’s SWALEC Stadium on Sunday, September 28, in a finals day to mirror Twenty20 cup finals day. The final will also be played under floodlights.

In 2009, following a successful inaugural year, the ECB plan to grow the Cockspur Club Twenty20 enabling a wider range of recreational clubs to participate.

ECB commercial director John Perera said: “The growth and excitement around Twenty20 cricket is something we wanted to replicate in the recreational game, and we are delighted that Cockspur have extended their sponsorship of recreational club cricket to include the Cockspur Club Twenty20.

“Club cricketers can aspire to reach finals day, which will be televised by Sky Sports, in a world-class stadium under lights just as our first-class cricketers do."

Cockspur spokesman Omar Khan said: "We are delighted to extend our sponsorship involvement within the recreational game at an amazingly exciting game for the game here in the UK.

Essex Eagles' big hitter Graham Napier is backing the Cockspur Club Twenty20

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“We are looking forward to an exciting finals day at the home of the 1st Ashes Test in 2009.”

Essex Eagles’ Graham Napier, who leads Sky Sports Sixes League with the most sixes hit in The Twenty20 Cup this year said: “Twenty20 cricket is a fantastic format of the game. Players and supporters both love it and we can’t wait for finals day this weekend at the Rose Bowl. I hope those players in the Cockspur Club Twenty20 have as much fun as I have had this season!”

Cockspur are in the first season of a three-year deal with the Test match grounds as official spirit of English Test match grounds that sees the brand occupying significant advertising placements at the Test match and one-day international grounds, as well as a plethora of marketing benefits to enhance product sales, sampling and exclusivity in the spirits sector.

Cockspur have extended their sponsorship of the Cockspur Cup with the ECB through to 2010 to further support the brand’s commitment to grass roots level cricket here in the UK.

The final of the Cockspur Cup is scheduled to be played at Lord’s on Tuesday September 9.

The quarter-finalists have already been decided in the 45-over Cockspur Cup, and matches will be played on Sunday, August 6:

Chester-le-Street (Durham) v Sandiacre Town (Derbyshire)
Kibworth (Leicestershire) v Northern (Lancashire)
Bromley (Kent) v Waltham (Essex)
Swansea (Wales) v Malden Wanderers (Surrey)