Lucrative deal sees The Oval become The AMP Oval

Surrey County Cricket Club has signed a record-breaking sponsorship deal with Australian financial services company, AMP.

The partnership grants AMP exclusive naming rights to The Oval cricket ground in a deal that is worth in excess of £2 million over five years. It is the largest cricket ground sponsorship deal ever signed.

The AMP Oval is the oldest Test Match Ground in the world; it is where the Ashes originated and home to Surrey County Cricket Club.

"This is one of the most important commercial partnerships in the history of the Club," said Paul Sheldon, Chief Executive of Surrey County Cricket Club.

"This deal is part of a very progressive future for The AMP Oval. AMP's significant injection of money will greatly assist us in our ambitious redevelopment plan to modernise the ground. Our highest priority is to increase capacity by 5,000 seats to satisfy the enormous demand for International cricket."

He adds, "We are most grateful for the support given to the ground by Foster's over the past 13 years."

Rebranded The AMP Oval, the new identity will be broadcast to an international audience as England take on Australia in a One Day International at the ground tomorrow (June 21st).

"While brand exposure for AMP will be very strong, the partnership goes a lot deeper than merely being a co-branding exercise. This partnership will benefit both the cricketing world and the wider community. For example, we will work with Surrey County Cricket Club to support community projects such as youth and education programmes," said Tom Fraser, Managing Director of AMP's UK financial services.

He adds, "The AMP Oval is a symbol of international sporting excellence made possible by talent, dedication and hard work, values we at AMP hold too."