NatWest to sponsor new series

The NatWest Bank has expanded its sponsorship ties with English international cricket to include a new three-match one-day series for the next three years.

Having backed the triangular one-day tournament for the past three seasons, the NatWest will now sponsor a new additional series against a third country to take place at the beginning of each summer.

The NatWest Challenge will serve as a scene-setter for the international summer and is in line with the England coach Duncan Fletcher's call to increase the amount of one-day internationals played by his side.

Pakistan have been invited to play next summer ahead of the already scheduled visits of Zimbabwe and South Africa.

"This new addition will enable England to play a guaranteed nine days of competitive one-day international cricket each summer, supporting the England team management's desire to gain further experience in this form of the game," Tim Lamb, the England and Wales Cricket Board's chief executive, said.