Yesterday, in a first-of-its-kind deal, the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) announced a three-year marketing deal with petroleum company Texaco, worth $350 000.

The partnership will be of direct benefit to the national team players and will be split into three segments. Starting from next years regional first-class season $100 000 will be allocated to the team, a further $120 000 in 2000, and $130 000 in 2001.

The deal also stretches to the junior players, who will be involved in seminars, and coaching clinics as part of their development.

Conference

``Today we move to another threshold cricket,'' said Texaco's division director of finance Andrew Rollins as he spoke at a media conference at Sherbourne Centre yesterday.

``In forging links with the BCA we see this partnership as supporting their efforts to further develop and encourage the Barbados team and to nurture promising young players.''

Rollins added that Texaco came onto the cricket field because they have the interest of the players at heart and wanted to see them rewarded for their efforts.

Texaco will take on the role as the official sponsor of the team and, it is expected the players attire will take on a whole new look.

They will be sporting the companys star logo on their cricket clothing, track suits, training wear as well as casual wear in keeping with modern international trends seen in football.

There will also be monetary awards for the players but the details have not yet been finalised.

President of the BCA Tony Marshall hailed the partnership as an historic occasion in the life of the BCA.

Texaco has been more than a friend to the BCA, Marshall said.

The company has placed a great deal of interest in the players and I hope they recognise the opportunities which are available to them.

Marshall added that the deal would help to bring about a meaningful relationship and the BCA would insure that players exhibit the highest standards of behaviour and performance on and off the field.

On hand to witness the deal were members of the Barbados team preparing for the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia, as well as former West Indies batting great, Sir Everton Weekes, and former BCA and West Indies Cricket Board president, Captain Peter Short.