Cricket Ireland secure three-year deal

Cricket Ireland have agreed a new three-year deal with RSA Insurance which will include sponsorship of the national teams.

It is an important step for Ireland which will include next year's ICC World Twenty20 and the potential of the 2011 World Cup if Ireland qualify.

"This is a tangible vote of confidence not just in what our talented players have achieved on the pitch, but what the management and Board of Cricket Ireland have begun to create off it, which is a new company confidently embracing change and the challenges of a competitive cricketing environment," said chief executive Warren Deutrom.

"With competitive fixtures against England in 2009, 2011 and 2013, against Australia in 2010, a partnership with Jamaican Cricket and participation in the World Twenty20 in England next year.

"We are confident that we will help RSA see a quick return on their investment, an investment which will help Irish cricketers at all levels to achieve excellence and enjoy playing the world's second biggest sport."