LEIGHTON LEVY, STAR Writer

Hero Motocorp has come on board as new title sponsors of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer has signed a one-year agreement with the competition now to be known as the Hero Caribbean Premier League.

Hero Motocorp replaces Limacol, which sponsored the CPL its first two years. "Hero has been one of the leading sponsors of cricket throughout the game's history, and it is a testament to CPL's growing success. We look forward to Hero's support and to making season three the biggest yet," said Richard Bevan, chairman, Hero Caribbean Premier League.

Pawan Munjal, chairman, managing director and CEO, Hero MotoCorp Limited, said he was looking forward to an exciting month of cricket.

He said the partnership made sense against the backdrop of the popularity of West Indian cricketers in India.

"The game of cricket has for long remained the most popular sport in India, and also in the Caribbean. Caribbean cricket and cricketers have always been highly popular in India and in many other parts of the world, and our title sponsorship of the CPL is a logical extension of our long-term association with the game."

Limacol has also re-signed with the CPL as a major partner. New Guyana Pharmaceutical Company Incorporated, under ithe Limacol brand, recently confirmed that it will continue as a Principal Partner of the CPL.

As part of the agreement, Limacol will become Umpires and Referees Partner, which will see Limacol represented on the umpires' uniforms and during the Third umpire review.

The competition that will this year feature the likes of renowned international cricketers Kevin Pietersen, Jacques Kallis, Shahid Afridi, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, and André Russell bowls off on June 20 and ends on July 26.