Camden Sports - by STEVE BARNETT Published: 19 March 2009
Meet the pink Panthers
Middlesex cricketers ditch ‘outdated’ Crusaders image for a vibrant future
PLAYERS from Middlesex County Cricket Club are busy making final preparations this week as they get ready for what promises to be another action-packed season. The side gathered at the historic Lord’s ground in St John’s Wood on Wednesday for their latest team photo, and to announce that the club would be changing their limited overs name from the Middlesex Crusaders to the Middlesex Panthers.
Chief executive Vinny Codrington said: “For some time now we’ve been looking at addressing our one-day image, as we felt it was outdated and in need of change. The game of cricket has evolved beyond anyone’s wildest imagination in recent times and, without putting too fine a point on it, you either go with it or risk being left behind! “We felt that in line with celebrating a new era of Middlesex cricket, we wanted our one-day image to be more vibrant. Having successfully secured a new sponsor for the club we felt that this gave us the perfect opportunity to make the switch to the Panthers.”
Codrington also revealed his delight at the recent appointment of Angus Fraser, who will take over the role as managing director of cricket. “Another new arrival at Lord’s this season is England and Middlesex legend Angus Fraser. “Put simply, the brief that Angus has taken on is to oversee the development of cricket within Middlesex from top to bottom – no simple task in anyone’s book. “Angus, however, is a true Middlesex man, who clearly shares our passion and belief for what lies ahead. “With him at the forefront of Middlesex cricket development we have the utmost confidence that the already extremely talented and youthful squad that we possess will realise their true potential and develop into a side that is consistently challenging for honours long into the future.”
Middlesex, who also announced a new long-term sponsorship deal with Ignis Asset Management, will be battling it out on four fronts this season.
The club’s priority will be to win promotion back into Division One of the Liverpool Victoria County Championship. They will also be looking to mount a challenge in the NatWest Pro40 League, the Friends Provident Trophy and the Twenty20 Cup.