MUMBAI: Cricket Australia has got Toyota Australia on board as a new gold sponsor and official automotive partner.

The deal comes close on the heels of Vodafone ending its 11-year association with Australian cricket team.

Under the new five-year deal, Toyota will support the Australian cricket team, State Cricket Associations and the KFC T20 Big Bash League until mid-2017.

Toyota will supply more than 100 vehicles, including the all-new Camry Hybrid, to many of Cricket Australia’s coaches and administrators.

The partnership extends Toyota’s official presence in Australian sport beyond its highly successful involvement with the major football codes.

Cricket Australia‘s Executive General Manager - Commercial Mike McKenna said, "Australian cricket is thrilled to partner with Toyota, an Australian manufacturer and a business with a strong track record of support for Australian sport. Australian cricket is proud to support Toyota’s environmental goals and initially half our State Association and Cricket Australia fleet will be Toyota hybrid vehicles. We will work with Toyota on opportunities to realise an all-hybrid fleet in the coming years."

Toyota’s executive director sales and marketing Matthew Callachor said the company was keen to widen its sponsorship portfolio by forming a progressive association with one of Australia’s most popular sports.

“Cricket is one of the most played and watched sports in Australia and we are looking forward to another long-term and successful partnership,” he said.

Callachor said the skills, commitment and passion of the Australian cricket team were attributes shared by Toyota and its 4,200 employees in Australia.