Cricket Australia has announced that Toyota Australia has signed a five-year deal as a gold sponsor and official automotive partner.

Toyota will support the Australian cricket team, State Cricket Associations and the KFC T20 Big Bash League until mid-2017.

The company will supply more than 100 vehicles to many of Cricket Australia’s coaches and administrators.

Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager – Commercial, Mike McKenna said:

“Australian cricket is thrilled to partner with Toyota, an Australian manufacturer and a business with a strong track record of support for Australian sport.

“Australian cricket is proud to support Toyota’s environmental goals and initially half our State Association and Cricket Australia fleet will be Toyota hybrid vehicles. We will work with Toyota on opportunities to realise an all-hybrid fleet in the coming years.

“We welcome Toyota into the Australian cricket family and we’re really excited about the opportunities this partnership offers from grassroots to the elite level.

Toyota’s executive director sales and marketing Matthew Callachor said the company was keen to widen its sponsorship portfolio by forming a progressive association with one of Australia’s most popular sports.

“Toyota has been a long-time and passionate supporter of Australian sport at all levels, and the new cricket partnership is a natural extension of our involvement with football codes enjoyed across the country,” Callachor said.

“Cricket is one of the most played and watched sports in Australia and we are looking forward to another long-term and successful partnership.”

Cricket Australia recently suffered the loss of a major sponsorship from telco Vodafone.

Image: SBS.com.au