Cricket players' body weighs in on T20 World Cup sponsorship furore

Cricket's international players' union says it will back moves by any player who wishes to protest against sponsors of the T20 World Cup.

The move comes amid concerns over the ICC's player-of-the-match awards, which are sponsored by Saudi Arabian state-owned oil company, Aramco.

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The governing body of international cricket announced the partnership with the Saudi company, which is sponsoring player-of-the-match awards in World Cups, beginning with the men's T20 event in Australia.

As well as being granted naming rights for the awards, Aramco recycling machines are also featuring across the seven T20 World Cup venues being used in Australia, as part of the deal.

The deal has been met with some opposition given question marks over the company's environmental sustainability and the Saudi government's human rights record.

It's believed the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) were consulted before the sponsorship announcement, but will back any player to express their views on it.

"Our focus at present is on agreeing the foundations of the relationship between players collectively and the ICC at a global level," FICA CEO Tom Moffat said.

"That's including on the various global employment and regulatory issues that impact players and ensure cricket aligns with the global best practice.

"Part of our proposal includes a framework for dialogue on how cricket approaches human rights responsibilities.

"In the meantime if individual players do not want to be associated with a particular sponsor, we would support that."

Aramco is also a sponsor of the player-of-the-match award in the IPL, where several prominent players have accepted cheques with the company's name on it.

Controversy around the company comes amid a sensitive period for sporting sponsorships, with Australia's Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins expressing his opposition to the team's major sponsor, Alinta Energy.

Cricket Australia and Alinta Energy have announced the partnership formed in 2018 will come to an end in 2023, with Cummins taking advantage of a contractual clause that allows him to step away from promotional commitments after two years as the 'face' of Alinta, The Australian reported.

The sponsorship arrangement has been reportedly worth some $40 million to CA over the duration of the four-year partnership with Alinta.

In that time, Cummins has launched the Cricket for Climate, an initiative aiming to equip local cricket clubs with solar energy panels - though he was criticised for his timing in doing so two days before former coach Justin Langer was sacked by CA.

Cummins has appeared in numerous ads for Alinta Energy since the beginning of their partnership in 2018, however CA has knocked back suggestions the captain's lobbying to ensure the sport reduces its environmental impact was a factor in the recently announced split.

Netball Australia has also been forced to defend its $15 million sponsorship deal with billionaire Aussie mining magnate Gina Rinehart's flagship company, Hancock Prospecting.

Concerns growing around sporting sponsorships

There is a growing sense around the events of recent days, as well as the current spotlight on Aramco's sponsorship, that players are becoming increasingly more aware of individual sponsors' backgrounds.

However, AAP has also been told that the ICC will not sanction players sitting out player-of-the-match award presentations, even if it goes against their own beliefs.

ICC practice, however, dictates that beside an on-screen graphic and fan vote, there is no sponsor logo or name on the physical award.

Australia spinner Adam Zampa, who is one of cricket's most progressive players through his vegan lifestyle, steered clear of saying if he would accept an Aramco award at this World Cup when asked on Tuesday.

"It's a good question ... we don't live in a perfect world," Zampa said.

"The fact there is some conversations starting about it already (is good), but it's going to be a steep learning curve for everyone."

Regardless, he said Cummins' positioning had represented a step forward for the sport and the players' desire to act as role models while balancing financials.

"There has to be a collaborative approach between players, CA and sponsors," he said.

"I have obviously got some personal views about some sponsors we have at the moment, but the fact Pat has started that conversation is great."

The Aramco situation is likely to remain an issue at next year's women's T20 World Cup, while the sponsorship lasts until after the 2023 men's 50-over tournament.

The ICC claim they can attempt to drive change through sponsorship partnerships and their own steps towards sustainability in cricket.

Saudi Arabia fielded their first women's cricket team in five T20s earlier this year, while the ICC has assisted in setting up female participation programs.

with AAP

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