LASHINGS, the Maidstone-based cricket club, have secured one of the biggest sponsorship deals in the domestic game in order to beat Kent in their own backyard for a second time.

The deal means that plans for a second Titans of Kent Trophy challenge match against the county are already being hatched as Lashings’ chairman David Folb bids to assemble another all-star side for a provisional date in Canterbury on Sunday, May 26.

The move follows Lashings’ three-year sponsorship deal with off-shore, tax-free banking and investment group Lugano Synergy, who will back cricket to the tune of £500,000 next summer. “I believe that over the next three years this link between lysnergy.com and Lashings will be worth millions, making it one of the biggest sponsorship deals in English cricket,” said Mr Folb.

“I have agreed terms with a personal friend, Godfrey Thompson, a New York banker who resides in Antigua from time to time, and am obviously thrilled for Lashings, the game in general but for cricket in Kent in particular. The figure of half-a-million is comparable to the kind of money that intertops.com put in to have the likes of Brian Lara and Viv Richards promoting their company last season.

“You have to remember that Lashings aren’t paying these players to play. Playing cricket for us is a minute part of what they do. First and foremost these stars come on board to help promote the sponsoring company.”

Mr Folb confirms that his usual band of Caribbean stars; Richie Richardson, Junior Murray, Jimmy Adams and Stuart Williams have all verbally agreed to return to the county town next summer, while Lara, Richards and Shoaib Akhtar have also expressed an interest in making guest appearances. Added to that, Lashings have also made approaches to West Indian all-rounder Sherwin Campbell and Zimbabwean stars Grant Flower and Alistair Campbell.

Apart from Kent, Lashings have also secured fixtures against Essex, Gloucestershire and at Lancashire’s Test ground at Old Trafford.