Here's Why Australia don't have any sponsor for Men's Cricket team shirt ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
(Courtesy : ICC)
Australia's men's cricket team will don the jersey without the sponsor's logo in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
The five-time champions Australia will enter the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as one of the favorites to win the tournament. They will play their first game against India in Chennai on October 8. But the Australian team are likely to step on the field without any main sponsor on their official World Cup kit. The cricket team have to wait until the start of the first test of the summer to pick a sponsor to adorn their cricket kit.
The likes of Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, and Glenn Maxwell have been featured in a few advertisements and other promotional events wearing the jersey without the sponsor's logo. However, Cricket Australia (CA) has refused the plan of wearing a plain jersey. But Stephanie Beltrame, head of broadcast and commercial, stated that the body in charge was willing to wait until the first ball of the home Test summer against Pakistan in Perth on December 16.
"Take our time to secure a great partnership" - Cricket Australia on no sponsor on men's cricket team jersey ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
Since the end of the deal with principal partner Alinta Energy in June 2023, the CA has been in touch with multiple sponsors for the men's cricket team. Beltrame also confirmed, "We have had significant interest from various brands, including for properties that are currently under contract. The uniforms worn by our Australian cricket teams are iconic and we are comfortable taking our time to secure a great partnership for the men’s shirt that is mutually beneficial for all parties.”
Australia will host Pakistan and West Indies, which will be followed by India and England, which will attract more sponsors for sure. One possibility for CA is to expand their agreement with an existing partner, like Qantas (the sponsor for international tours) or Toyota, so the company's logo can be seen on the shirt. Another is to agree to a one-year contract with a new sponsor and evaluate the market's needs again in 2024. Since 1995/96, this is the first time that Australia will not have a sponsor on the jersey. Benson and Hedges didn't have a logo on their shirts last time due to tightening legislation that ultimately saw tobacco companies. Then, Ansett was the main sponsor between 1996/97 and 2001, when the airplane collapsed.
Meanwhile, Australian Cricketers Association board director Usman Khawaja has expressed his views and said that players' suggestions should also be taken into consideration when choosing the sponsors for the men's cricket team. He said, "We have a responsibility to the whole of cricket, whether that be drugs, alcohol, whatever it may be, we have a responsibility to the public of vetting sponsorships. I believe CA do already do that in some way, and there is an avenue where the ACA can be involved."
Karan Rawat is a seasoned cricket writer with a deep passion for the game and over 5 years of experience covering everything that the game can offer. He loves to share the analysis, match reports, and player profiles and tries to bring stories to life with a unique blend of statistics and storytelling. Whether breaking down Test match tactics or capturing the drama of a T20 thriller, Karan's work connects fans with the soul of the sport.