Cricinfo.com scores with global Yahoo! Search agreement

Millions of regular visitors to Cricinfo.com, the world's largest cricket website, will have access to Yahoo! search facilities thanks to a global agreement reached between the two online companies.

The deal will see a Yahoo! search box featured on each page of the site and will allow visitors to download a co-branded Cricinfo.com/Yahoo! Search toolbar to their browser, adding extra functionality and value to the user experience.

"Cricinfo.com is in an exciting growth phase which we are continuing with the addition of new features and functionality on the site," said Tom Gleeson, Cricinfo's chief executive officer. "Striking this agreement with Yahoo! search adds value to the experience of our visitors and builds a strong association between two powerful and well-known online brands. Cricinfo has a massive global audience and is a dominant presence in the key cricket markets of the UK, India, North America and Australasia."

"This deal is a huge statement of Yahoo! search's growing position in the marketplace, and recognition from significant Web properties that it is the search engine of choice," said Rob Jonas, head of business development for Yahoo! Search UK & Ireland. "Cricinfo.com has a huge following - not least after England's performance in the Ashes. Following the success of other deals with major properties, such as ITV.com, we are planning on further growth from the UK, especially as Yahoo!'s commercial success attracts further high-traffic sites."

In addition to the search functionality, contextual advertising will be provided by Overture, the sponsored search division of Yahoo! Inc. This will provide users with relevant and targeted information from advertisers on the site.