It will be the sole title sponsor of England's home Test matches during the next two years, the first of which will be against India at Wormsley Cricket Ground next month.

The "historic" partnership will give Kia a host of sponsorship and marketing rights around the England women's team, including "in-ground activation" at international matches in England.

Contracted England women's players will be given keys to the new Kia Sportage for the two years the company is the team's Official Car.

"We are delighted to welcome Kia as a new official partner of England women's cricket," said ECB chief executive David Collier, who yesterday confirmed he is to leave his role after 10 years in charge.

"This agreement is a ground-breaking first for the England women's team and reflects the huge success the side has enjoyed over the last 12 months, along with the players' wider role as superb ambassadors for the sport.

"It also illustrates how important media exposure is for the promotion of women's cricket and we are indebted to our principal live broadcast partners, Sky Sports and BBC Radio, whose excellent coverage plays such a vital role in making the sport attractive to potential business partners."

Player Sarah Taylor, along with her team mates, will drive a Kia Sportage during the next two years as part of the deal ©Getty Images for ECB



Kia has been lead sponsor of Surrey County Cricket Club and the Oval, where they play, since 2011.

The President and chief executive of Kia Motors (UK) Ltd, Paul Philpott, said supporting England's women's team is "the next evolution for Kia in cricket".

England has a long history of success, winning the Women's Cricket World Cup in 1973, 1993 and 2009.

Clare Connor, the ECB's head of women's cricket, said: "This is a historic step for England women's cricket and I am thrilled to be embarking on this new partnership with Kia.

"Major global brands want to be associated with winners, and it is fantastic that the team's outstanding performances on the field and growing media profile have enabled the England women's cricket to earn their first-ever standalone commercial deal.

"This is a significant breakthrough for both women's cricket and women's sport as a whole, and I'm sure our commercial team will be working closely with Kia to help them achieve maximum exposure for their brand."