CricInfo, www.cricket.org, the world’s most popular sport Web site, has announced a major Z$5 million sponsorship initiative to aid the development of cricket in Zimbabwe. The sponsorship was launched on 21 February 2000, when a cheque for Z$5 million was presented to the Zimbabwe Cricket Union by CricInfo's Chief Executive Officer, Simon King, at an evening reception organised by the British High Commission. Earlier in the day, Nick Knight and Mark Alleyne from the touring England team took part in a coaching session at Chipembere School in Highfield near Harare.

Nick Knight watches a future opponent

The money, donated by CricInfo to the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, will provide support for every aspect of ZCU's development programme. It will go towards promoting cricket in schools, improving grounds and facilities, coaching, providing equipment and clothing, and cricket scholarships.

In addition to the sponsorship, CricInfo hosts and runs the Zimbabwe Cricket Union's official Web site, www.zcu.cricket.org, and produces Zimbabwe's only cricket magazine, Zimbabwe Cricket Online, edited by John Ward. Together, the sites form part of CricInfo, www.cricket.org, the world's leading cricket Web site.

Simon King, Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are delighted to be investing in cricket’s future. Zimbabwe’s development programme is a shining example of what can be achieved by dedicated people, including school teachers, administrators and coaches, and its success can be judged by the number of development players already graduating through the ranks to junior and senior international cricket, and to coaching positions at schools throughout Zimbabwe."

Nick Knight chats to young cricketers

Dave Ellman-Brown, Chief Executive of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, said, "The development programme is of paramount importance to the ZCU, and our partnership with CricInfo is going from strength to strength. This donation really hits home – as enthusiasm for the game throughout Zimbabwe’s school grows, we face a constant challenge to help with facilities, equipment and coaching. This donation will help us meet that challenge. It is a real contribution to Zimbabwe’s cricketing future."

Peter Longworth, the British High Commissioner in Harare, praised the initiative, saying, "By getting involved in the ZCU’s development programme, CricInfo has chosen one of the most effective development schemes in world cricket. Little more than twenty years ago, very few schools in high-density areas played the game. Now there are more than 180. This is due in no small measure to the commitment of the ZCU. We are delighted that it is a British company that has chosen to invest in the future of the game in Zimbabwe."

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Hall, Marketing Manager, CricInfo Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)7968 157722 Email: andrew.hall@cricinfo.com

About CricInfo

Mark Alleyne in trouble against some fine bowling

CricInfo Ltd. is the world's leading digital cricket publisher. CricInfo’s Web site www.cricket.org, is the most popular cricket site in the world, and the Internet's most visited site dedicated to a single sport, reaching more than eight million fans in 180 countries.

CricInfo produces official sites for five of the nine Test playing nations' cricket boards, including that of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union at www.zcu.cricket.org. CricInfo also works with other cricket organisations, including the ICC, as well as blue-chip companies, and the print and broadcast media.

Among CricInfo's recent initiatives are Baggy Green, www.baggygreen.com.au, a joint venture between CricInfo, NineMSN and the Australian Cricket Board. The site was launched in September 1999, and has quickly established itself as Australia’s leading sports site. CricInfo was the only media organisation to provide live coverage of January's Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka, with a team of twelve providing live scores and commentary direct from the grounds. In the UK, CricInfo builds and manages www.channel4.com/cricinfo, the site that accompanies Channel 4's broadcast coverage.

CricInfo produces CricInfo365, the free daily e-mail newsletter, which has more than 150,000 subscribers, making it the world's most popular cricket subscription publication. More than 50,000 people have participated in cricket fantasy games on www.cricket.org in the last year.

CricInfo recently announced that it is to sponsor the seventh Women's Cricket World Cup, to be played in New Zealand in November and December this year.

About ZCU's Development Programme

Mark Alleyne coachng

The Zimbabwe Cricket Union's Development Programme began in 1982. Its aim is to promote and develop cricket in the less privileged

areas of Zimbabwe (high-density areas). At its inception, just four schools in high-density areas around Harare played the game.

Since 1982, this number has increased to more than 180, with an additional 20 schools on the waiting list. Cricket is now considerably more widespread, with the Development Programme having successfully introduced the game into smaller towns and rural areas. More than 8,000 young cricketers now benefit from the programme.

Coaching, facilities, scholarships, and equipment all fall under the remit of the Development Programme. 31 coaches are now on the ZCU's payroll, with this number likely to increase further as cricket broadens its geographical base.

The Development Programme is producing provincial and international players, as well as highly qualified coaches who go on to promote the game themselves. David Mutendera, who made his one-day debut against Australia last year, started playing mini cricket at Shiriyedenga High School in Highfield, before going to Prince Edward School on a ZCU cricket scholarship. Senior side prospect Alester Maregwede has travelled extensively with the Zimbabwe Under-19s, and is now a student at the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy. Tatendu Taibu has progressed through the age groups to Under-19 level, and is a possible long-term replacement for Andy Flower in the national team. Add to these the names of Hamilton Masakadza, Kudzai Taibu, Alfred Mbwembwe, Lovemore Mbwembwe and Brighton Ngarava, and you have an impressive list of Test players of the future.

Among the coaches who graduated from the Development Programme are Steven Mangongo, now Head Coach at the private school, Eaglesvale School, and Walter Chawaguta, responsible for coaching at Churchill School.

Other talented cricketers continue to progress through age-group cricket and provincial teams.

CricInfo's donation will enable the Zimbabwe Cricket Union to build on one of the most effective development programmes in world cricket, which is already making such a major contribution to the future of cricket in Zimbabwe.