NZC chief executive Chris Doig said yesterday he would be disappointed to lose the sponsorship, but he did not expect that to happen.

He was confident the arrangement had been a ``huge success'' for the firm, and that it would continue after this year.

Brierleys gives $300,000 a year to the cricket academy at Lincoln University. Under the three-year deal, which expires at the end of this year, Brierleys receives naming rights for the academy as well as its representative team.

BIL communications manager Mike Drogemuller said all head-office costs were under scrutiny and it was reasonable to expect the firm would spend less on sponsorship in the future.

BIL spent about $1.8 million in sponsorships last year.

Drogemuller said yesterday he could not comment on the possibility of the academy sponsorship being retained, until he had discussed the whole issue with BIL chairman Sir Selwyn Cushing. Discussions would also be held with every organisation that BIL sponsors.

He said the cricket academy had been a ``huge success'' in the development of players and the quality of coaching.

``It's probably the best development of its type of any of the sports in New Zealand. It's great we have been part of it, but I can't predict whether we will be in the long term.''

BIL has been a sponsor of youth cricket for about a decade.