Slazenger Sign Matthew Prior and Adil Rashid

Slazenger have signed two of cricket’s brightest prospects, Sussex wicket-keeper Matthew Prior and Yorkshire bowler Adil Rashid, on long term agreements to provide them with Slazenger cricket equipment.

Brand ambassador Prior has been named in the England side to face the West Indies in the first test at Lords on 17th May to bring the contingent of Slazenger players up to 4, more than any other cricket brand.

Rashid has been recognized as one of England’s most exciting talents, making his debut for Yorkshire in July 2006. The 19-year-old was brought in to the England U19 side for the first Test against India at Canterbury in the same month.

Both players were included in the England A team tour of Bangladesh in February this year.

Delighted with the deal, Rashid commented: “I am very proud to be associated with Slazenger. They have a track record of manufacturing top quality products, and I am pleased to be in the company of some of the game’s most high profile figures as an ambassador for such a high quality brand as Slazenger.”

Rashid and Prior will be using the Slazenger SXi Series cricket bat. It is made from hand selected premium English willow, traditionally used to produce the industry’s leading bats, and is currently also used by England’s Ian Bell.

Slazenger’s Head of Marketing, Robin Gibson commented: “We are delighted to build on our relationship as equipment suppliers to both Adil and Matthew. They are both exceptional talents and I’m sure both players will be great ambassadors for Slazenger, both in domestic cricket and in the international arena.”

Notes to editors

The Slazenger SXi, SE and SX Series of bats are on sale throughout the UK, and is also available through online cricket retailers. For information on Slazenger retailers, please ring 01924 880 000.

Slazenger are the innovators in the field of cricket, and have invested heavily in their new range, using only premium materials throughout to build upon the crafted range, and to enhance the look and feel of their products.

Slazenger’s brand ambassadors include England internationals Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Liam Plunkett and Matthew Prior, and South Africa’s Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock. They also have a strong representation at England Junior level.

For further press information contact:

Rachel Pearse
FWM PR
+44 (0)161 831 0415
rachel.pearse@fastwebmedia.com