RBS set to replace Waitrose as ECB sponsor

Financial services group the Royal Bank of Scotland is being lined up to replace supermarket chain Waitrose as the main partner of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), according to Sky News.

The UK broadcaster claims that RBS is in advanced talks with the ECB to replace Waitrose, which announced in February that it would not be renewing with the body when its agreement expires following England’s tour of India in December.

According to Sky News, RBS’s NatWest banking group would serve as England’s front-of-shirt sponsor as part of the agreement. The broadcaster added that the multi-year deal would be worth about £4m (€5.1m/$5.7m) per year to the ECB.

Waitrose replaced financial services company Brit Insurance as the main partner of the ECB in May 2014. The supermarket’s logo currently features on England’s playing and training wear.

RBS earlier this month announced that it would step down from its role as title sponsor of the Six Nations after the 2017 edition of the rugby union tournament.