Australia’s men’s team is gearing up for a summer of cricket at home with a fresh and culturally significant look. Pat Cummins, the team’s captain, will be at the forefront of this change when he leads his team onto the field at the Perth Stadium for the upcoming first Test. The team’s kit, renowned for its classic green and gold, will now boast Indigenous artwork, intricately embossed into its design, marking a first in Australian cricket history.
This artistic incorporation isn’t the sole highlight. Cricket Australia has revamped its partnership arrangements, introducing a new sponsor on the front of the men’s playing kit for the first time since the 2017-18 season. This move results from an enhanced deal with two key existing partners, elevating them to occupy this prime branding space.
In September, Cricket Australia unveiled the new Asics kit for this summer, which gained iconic status following Australia’s sixth men’s World Cup victory in India. Now, the Test version is set to take the limelight in the impending NRMA Insurance Test series against Pakistan. The kit is already gaining attention for its subtle green piping around the sleeves and collar, along with the elegantly embossed Walkabout Wickets logo, which has been well-received by the players.
The new one-year sponsorship agreement encompasses all men’s playing kit and sees Toyota, a long-standing partner, featured prominently on the shirt front. HCLTech, a significant player in digital services, will be displayed on the sleeve of the leading arm on the men’s playing shirt. Notably, Toyota will also appear on the non-leading sleeve of both men’s and women’s playing kits.
The change in men’s kit sponsorship comes after the previous sponsor, Alinta Energy, ended its partnership with Cricket Australia in June this year. This shift in sponsorships aligns with Cricket Australia’s broader commercial strategy and offers flexibility for future partnerships, particularly with the inaugural five-Test home series against India and the 2025-26 Ashes on the horizon.
This commercial evolution is paralleled by the players’ stance on social issues. Captain Pat Cummins, a staunch advocate for environmental causes, had notably declined to participate in promotional activities for Alinta in the final year of its partnership with Cricket Australia. This decision, along with the broader shift in sponsorships, reflects a growing consciousness among athletes about the impacts and implications of their endorsements.
Cummins, fresh from the team’s World Cup triumph and facing criticism for his vocal stance on social issues, remains resolute in his beliefs. “If I don’t stay strong on this and I pander to a loud minority, that’s not a good thing,” he said in a recent interview with ABC’s 7.30 Report. His Cricket for Climate initiative aims to install solar power at 4000 local clubs, demonstrating a commitment to both sport and sustainability.
The upcoming NRMA Insurance Test series against Pakistan promises to be not just a showcase of cricketing skill but also a display of Australia’s rich cultural heritage and a commitment to meaningful partnerships. This fresh approach to the game’s visual identity and commercial partnerships sets a new precedent in Australian cricket.
Australia squad for the first Test: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner.
Pakistan squad: Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
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Australia's men's cricket team embraces cultural change with a historic kit revamp, featuring Indigenous artwork. New sponsors Toyota & HCLTech adorn the iconic green & gold attire for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan. 🏏✨🎨👕🌐 #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/XPwpJSpXOw
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