logo
Cricket Australia reveals new sponsor after dumping Commonwealth Bank

Cricket Australia reveals new sponsor after dumping Commonwealth Bank

The Age4 days ago
Westpac has signed on as the major sponsor of Australia's men's and women's cricket teams across the Test, one-day and Twenty20 formats, replacing long-term sponsor of the sport and its key rival, the Commonwealth Bank.
The sponsorship deal, which was foreshadowed late last year, commenced on July 12 and was formally announced on Thursday. It comes after a 37-year commercial relationship between CBA and cricket.
The Westpac logo will be on the front of the players' shirts, and the banking giant has vowed to help grow the game.
'We're excited to step up to the crease and back Australian cricket,' Westpac chief executive Anthony Miler said in a statement.
'Like Westpac, cricket in Australia has a long and proud history stretching back 200 years. As Australia's oldest bank, we can't wait to join forces with one of Australia's oldest sports and help shape the future of this great game.'
The bank, which also has a major sponsorship deal with the NRL, did not say how much it was spending on the sponsorship, but it is reportedly worth around $40 million.
Westpac said the deal would include support for local clubs, measures to create new opportunities for women to get involved in cricket, and support for First Nations cricket talent. The bank would also be the presenting partner of the National Cricket Inclusion Championship and any international disability series in Australia.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said the cricketing body was thrilled with the new deal.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Inheritance tax wake-up call for all expat Brits in Australia still with private pensions in the UK!
Inheritance tax wake-up call for all expat Brits in Australia still with private pensions in the UK!

West Australian

timean hour ago

  • West Australian

Inheritance tax wake-up call for all expat Brits in Australia still with private pensions in the UK!

A major tax change in the UK could have serious consequences for thousands of British expats living in Australia with pension savings left behind in the old country. From April 2026, pension pots inherited after the age of 75 will no longer be tax-free for beneficiaries. Instead, they'll be taxed as income, at the recipient's marginal rate — potentially as high as 45 per cent.. And from April 2027, the UK is going a step further — pensions will be brought into the scope of inheritance tax, too. This 2027 change is a fresh move from the UK Treasury. Pensions, which were previously exempt from UK estate taxes, will now potentially face double taxation — income tax plus inheritance tax. If you're an Australian tax resident with a UK pension and you're assuming it'll all pass seamlessly to your family one day, then think again. Historically, UK defined contribution pensions — also known as 'private pensions' — were a handy estate planning tool. If the pension holder died before age 75, the entire pot could pass to beneficiaries tax-free, and even after 75 it was only subject to income tax when withdrawn. More importantly, pensions were excluded from the estate for UK inheritance tax purposes, meaning they avoided the UK's hefty 40 per cent estate tax altogether. But from April 2026, that income tax exemption ends for people who die over age 75. And from April 2027, the pension itself will be counted as part of the estate for inheritance tax purposes. The UK government has confirmed that from April 2027, defined contribution pensions will be reportable for inheritance tax, with the responsibility falling on executors. In some cases, families could have just six months to report and pay tax or face late penalties. If that sounds like a nightmare for grieving families navigating two tax systems, it's because it probably will be. In contrast, Australian superannuation is relatively generous when it comes to estate planning because: Adding further complexity is a lesser-known change to how the UK defines inheritance tax exposure. From April 6 this year, the UK moved to a residence-based system. If you've been a UK tax resident for 10 out of the last 20 tax years, you may be classified as a long-term resident and subject to UK inheritance tax on your worldwide assets. So, even if you've been living in Australia for years, you may still be caught by UK inheritance tax, because the new rules apply a 'tail' period of up to 10 years after you leave. For many, transferring UK pensions to Australia via a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme has for a long time — and in the right circumstances — made financial sense. It consolidates retirement savings, aligns your money with your tax residency and gives you more control. Now, with the emergence of this new tax regime, the argument for a transfer grows stronger. It also removes the burden from your family of having to deal with HM Revenue and Customs, complex executor responsibilities and international tax reporting. Of course, it's not always straightforward because: But with professional advice, the process can often be navigated smoothly and the long-term benefits can be significant. The UK's planned tax changes are a wake-up call for British expats in Australia because: So, if you have UK pension savings and live in Australia, it's time to reassess your strategy. A well-considered pension transfer, in the right circumstances and with the right personalised advice, could mean more of your hard-earned savings stay in the hands of your family — and not in the UK tax office. Nicholas Hart is a financial adviser and UK Pensions expert at Empire Financial Group

‘Absolutely insane': Harris wins first gold as Short digs deep after hospital visit
‘Absolutely insane': Harris wins first gold as Short digs deep after hospital visit

Sydney Morning Herald

time4 hours ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

‘Absolutely insane': Harris wins first gold as Short digs deep after hospital visit

'I'm stoked,' Harris said. 'I'm sure I'll process it later, but I'm so happy. That's the most fun I've had in a race.' Short, who trains alongside Harris, watched her swim from the marshalling room ahead of his own 30-lap battle. 'It was absolutely insane,' Short said. 'She said to me, 'imagine if we both win gold'. I was thinking 'jeez that's going to be a tough ask for me'. But I wanted to pull my weight. She has worked so hard.' While Harris, McEvoy, Mollie O'Callaghan and Kaylee McKeown all claimed individual golds in Singapore, as well two from Moesha Johnson in the open water, Short left the meet with a trio of what-ifs. He missed gold in the 400m freestyle by 0.02 seconds, was forced to withdraw from the 800m due to illness, and fought bravely for fourth in the 1500m final, clocking 14:43.08 — the second-fastest time of his career. Short had to cancel lunch plans with his parents at a Singapore pub on Saturday, convinced he'd be too battered by illness to even qualify for Sunday's final. 'It's been a pretty horrible week, to be honest,' said Short, who lost three kilograms while sick. 'The 800 heat felt phenomenal and the next two days were horrible. 'I couldn't really leave my bed. I was just throwing up and had really high temperatures. I was really down the dumps. I'm just stoked to get in the final. '14:43 is a pretty good time after the week I've had.' Head coach Rohan Taylor added: 'That was unbelievable. He's a fighter.' With Australia's men's medley team failing to make the final, it was up to the Dolphins' women to try and land a final blow on the USA. With the men's medley relay team failing to make the final, it was left to McKeown, Ella Ramsay, Alex Perkins and O'Callaghan (3:52.67) to chase one last gold for the Dolphins. But the Americans, anchored by Torri Huske, were too strong, taking the title in 3:49.34. O'Callaghan, stuck on 11 world championship golds, will now have to wait until Budapest 2027 to surpass Ian Thorpe's Australian record. There were more memorable moments on the final night: France's Leon Marchand claimed gold in the 400m individual medley, though fell short of his own world record. Summer McIntosh won her fourth gold of the meet in the same race. If McIntosh were a country, she would have finished fourth on the medal tally. And 12-year-old Chinese sensation Yu Zidi, turned heads again with another fourth-place finish but did become the youngest medallist at an international swimming meet in 89 years after helping China to a relay medal as a heat swimmer. Forrester's silver medal — shared with Japan's Mio Narita — was especially sweet after she missed the final in Paris. 'I was honestly just in disbelief. That was crazy,' Forrester said. 'I feel like it's been a really tough two years. I'm super proud of myself.' The USA pipping Australia on the medal tally will be salt in the wound but it was one of those weeks, with illness affecting both camps. Australia could have won more and the same could also be said for the USA. With no Ariarne Titmus, Kaylee McKeown dropping the 50m backstroke, and Short robbed for the chance for supremacy in the 800m freestyle, there were golds left on the table in the first major international swimming competition since the Olympics. There was also a bad mixed 4x100m freestyle heat that Australia will learn from. Loading The Dolphins' haul of eight golds wasn't quite the 13 they collected in Fukuoka in 2023, but it remains their second-best world championship return since 2007. 'There was a lot of turmoil through the week but I think we handled it well,' Taylor said. 'Obviously, we were one gold medal short [of the USA]. It's nice for it to come down to the last relay. We did our best but they were too good on the day. It makes us more hungry. 'Jenna Forrester getting back on the podium is a great story. Harrison's Turner's bronze from lane eight. Jeez, that 800 freestyle final with Lani [Pallister] was special. 'The relays at the beginning were great. Sienna Toohey making a semi-final. Each moment was special to me.'

‘Absolutely insane': Harris wins first gold as Short digs deep after hospital visit
‘Absolutely insane': Harris wins first gold as Short digs deep after hospital visit

The Age

time4 hours ago

  • The Age

‘Absolutely insane': Harris wins first gold as Short digs deep after hospital visit

'I'm stoked,' Harris said. 'I'm sure I'll process it later, but I'm so happy. That's the most fun I've had in a race.' Short, who trains alongside Harris, watched her swim from the marshalling room ahead of his own 30-lap battle. 'It was absolutely insane,' Short said. 'She said to me, 'imagine if we both win gold'. I was thinking 'jeez that's going to be a tough ask for me'. But I wanted to pull my weight. She has worked so hard.' While Harris, McEvoy, Mollie O'Callaghan and Kaylee McKeown all claimed individual golds in Singapore, as well two from Moesha Johnson in the open water, Short left the meet with a trio of what-ifs. He missed gold in the 400m freestyle by 0.02 seconds, was forced to withdraw from the 800m due to illness, and fought bravely for fourth in the 1500m final, clocking 14:43.08 — the second-fastest time of his career. Short had to cancel lunch plans with his parents at a Singapore pub on Saturday, convinced he'd be too battered by illness to even qualify for Sunday's final. 'It's been a pretty horrible week, to be honest,' said Short, who lost three kilograms while sick. 'The 800 heat felt phenomenal and the next two days were horrible. 'I couldn't really leave my bed. I was just throwing up and had really high temperatures. I was really down the dumps. I'm just stoked to get in the final. '14:43 is a pretty good time after the week I've had.' Head coach Rohan Taylor added: 'That was unbelievable. He's a fighter.' With Australia's men's medley team failing to make the final, it was up to the Dolphins' women to try and land a final blow on the USA. With the men's medley relay team failing to make the final, it was left to McKeown, Ella Ramsay, Alex Perkins and O'Callaghan (3:52.67) to chase one last gold for the Dolphins. But the Americans, anchored by Torri Huske, were too strong, taking the title in 3:49.34. O'Callaghan, stuck on 11 world championship golds, will now have to wait until Budapest 2027 to surpass Ian Thorpe's Australian record. There were more memorable moments on the final night: France's Leon Marchand claimed gold in the 400m individual medley, though fell short of his own world record. Summer McIntosh won her fourth gold of the meet in the same race. If McIntosh were a country, she would have finished fourth on the medal tally. And 12-year-old Chinese sensation Yu Zidi, turned heads again with another fourth-place finish but did become the youngest medallist at an international swimming meet in 89 years after helping China to a relay medal as a heat swimmer. Forrester's silver medal — shared with Japan's Mio Narita — was especially sweet after she missed the final in Paris. 'I was honestly just in disbelief. That was crazy,' Forrester said. 'I feel like it's been a really tough two years. I'm super proud of myself.' The USA pipping Australia on the medal tally will be salt in the wound but it was one of those weeks, with illness affecting both camps. Australia could have won more and the same could also be said for the USA. With no Ariarne Titmus, Kaylee McKeown dropping the 50m backstroke, and Short robbed for the chance for supremacy in the 800m freestyle, there were golds left on the table in the first major international swimming competition since the Olympics. There was also a bad mixed 4x100m freestyle heat that Australia will learn from. Loading The Dolphins' haul of eight golds wasn't quite the 13 they collected in Fukuoka in 2023, but it remains their second-best world championship return since 2007. 'There was a lot of turmoil through the week but I think we handled it well,' Taylor said. 'Obviously, we were one gold medal short [of the USA]. It's nice for it to come down to the last relay. We did our best but they were too good on the day. It makes us more hungry. 'Jenna Forrester getting back on the podium is a great story. Harrison's Turner's bronze from lane eight. Jeez, that 800 freestyle final with Lani [Pallister] was special. 'The relays at the beginning were great. Sienna Toohey making a semi-final. Each moment was special to me.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store