Photo Credit: Cricket Netherlands
With a pathbreaking summer of cricket ahead, KNCB, the governing body for cricket in the Netherlands announced today that Sportsbuzz.com, an emerging sports content platform looking to revolutionize how major sports are covered, will be the title sponsor for three marquee series. The men’s team will be playing at home against West Indies, England, Pakistan and New Zealand. Sportsbuzz.com’s association hints at the increasing clout and reach of cricket from associate nations, particularly as they get set to play the more established sides, marking a new growth era in the commerce of cricket. This is among the first major deals stitched by ITW, who were recently appointed by Cricket Netherlands as their commercial rights partner for the entire summer home season.
Commenting on the partnership, Vivek Chandra, Director and Head of Business, ITW MEA said: “There is always an audience and demand for quality cricket, and teams like the Netherlands have been playing some exceptional cricket. With the influx of sponsors and commercial partners, this action can reach larger audiences and the broadcast reach and quality would be enhanced which is phenomenal for the growth and development of the game. We at ITW have been partners with leading cricket bodies around the world for over a decade and we are thrilled to be here with KNCB to push those frontiers even further, bringing together brands and sport in ways that unlock new markets and value for both.”
Betty Timmer, MD Events said: “Cricket Netherlands is delighted with the partnership with ITW and Sportsbuzz’s association as we start this historic summer. We are looking forward to a packed calendar of thrilling cricket, and the opportunity to host some of the biggest teams and the game’s most exciting global stars which will provide a tremendous impetus to the game here for the local fans as well as millions watching worldwide.”
It’s a significant development and a major milestone for cricket in the country that made its World Cup debut in 1996. The Netherlands is the only ICC associate member who is part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League which involves the top 12 teams of the world and serves as a pathway for qualification to the ICC Cricket World Cup to be held in 2023. They will be facing off against the West Indies, England and Pakistan in 3 ODIs and New Zealand in 2 T20Is. This will mark the first time an English team will be touring the Netherlands for a full series.
Rajesh Banga, the representative for Sportsbuzz, is also looking forward to revolutionary new beginnings. He said, “We at Sportsbuzz are looking to be a significant gamechanger in how sports get covered, bringing news from around the world, and showcasing exceptional stories from the world of sport, and what better way to signal our commitment to that mission than being front and centre at a watershed moment for the global game of cricket. We are immensely looking forward to seeing an amazing summer of cricket unfold.”
The entire summer calendar, which has four action packed international series scheduled for the team in the window of a month and a half, is likely to provide crucial momentum for the development of the game where the Dutch have made amazing strides over the last few years. The men’s team is currently ranked 14th in the ODI world rankings and 18th in T20Is. They will also be looking to qualify for and leave a lasting impression at the T20 World Cup to be held in Australia later this year.
About KNCB
The Royal Dutch Cricket Association (Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond, KNCB) is the governing body of cricket in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is responsible for the management of national men’s and women’s teams, and also for the various domestic competitions. The KNCB is one of the oldest national governing bodies in cricket, having been founded in 1883.
For more information, visit kncb.nl
About Sportsbuzz
A sports content platform covering the world’s biggest sports and esports subjects for die-hard sports enthusiasts with a revolutionary new paradigm in how sports stories are showcased and reported from around the globe.
For more information, visit sportsbuzz.com
