AT&T Wireless have signed a three year agreement with the Bermuda Cricket Board to sponsor the Premier and First Division Limited Overs leagues.

The new deal follows hard on the heels of the telecommunications giants? long term financial commitment to football last month.

Along with two newly-designed trophies, AT&T will also be awarding prize money for the top four teams in each division.

Premier and First Division Champions will receive $1,500 for their efforts, with the second-placed teams taking home $700 dollars, third, $500, and fourth, $200.

Sports Minister Dale Butler described AT&T?s decision to support both of Bermuda?s national sports as a ?pivotal moment in local sports development?.

? This is a shining example of a global brand teaming with a local sport for the benefit of the community. This announcement could not have come at a better time for Bermuda as we feverishly prepare for the arrival of the World Cup inspection team to assess our bid for the 2007 World Cup. I am extremely grateful for their commitment to sport in Bermuda and to the hundreds of individuals involved in football and cricket on the Island.?

Butler also revealed yesterday that the newly constructed cricket pavillion on the North Field of the National Sports Centre is nearing completion, and that the opening ceremony will be held ?within the next two weeks.?

?If we had had a lot of oil money it probably would have been about five times the size. But as it is it is very impressive building and an important asset to the Bermudian community.?

Uncertainty continues to surround the likelihood of the Central Counties competition taking place this year as the Bermuda Cricket Board confirmed yesterday that dates have still yet to be allocated.

On paper at least, Police are due to take on Social Club while Devonshire Rec face Western Stars in two semi-finals clashes.

According to the Board, the Central Counties fixtures were not incorporated into the schedule at the start of the season because of the failure of the Central Counties Association to pay the dues owed to the national body and by an almost total lack of official correspondence from them for over two years.

On a more positive note however, Board Treasurer Neil Speight said yesterday that the Central Counties Association was now ?back on board? having held an AGM and formally requested dates for their matches.

?There are a few potential dates still available that we are looking at,? he said.