WORCESTER-based npower today announced a three-year sponsorship deal worth more than £11m with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The deal sees the company become title sponsors of England's home Test series' up to and including 2003.

It will begin immediately with npower in place for the first two Test of this summer against Pakistan, followed by the five-match Ashes series against Australia.

England captain Nasser Hussain said: "All the England players are relishing the prospect of taking part in the first npower Test Series.

"Australia and Pakistan are both top sides with world-class players in their ranks."