Australian Captain Michael Clarke to Get New Bat Sponsor

Michael Clarke’s unbeaten triple-ton at the recent Sydney Test may have paved way for a new bat sponsor as the Australian captain is close to signing a deal with sporting goods business brand Spartan Sports

Much intrigue has surrounded the ”cleanskin” bat with which the Australian captain scored a majestic and unbeaten 329 at the SCG, after Slazenger elected not to renew its deal with Clarke when it expired at the end of 2011.

Though the new deal has not yet been inked, Spartan Sports cricket consultant Ian Davis, the former Test batsman, yesterday confirmed that he hoped to formalise an arrangement with Clarke’s management group this week.

It is believed the plan is for Clarke’s bat, and potentially other merchandise, to be emblazoned with his own MC logo, just as the great Sachin Tendulkar has his own ST brand, which adorns his Adidas-sponsored bats.

Spartan also has a licensing agreement with Cricket Australia and factories in India, where its bats are manufactured.

”We’re very keen, we’re talking with them [Clarke’s management] and hoping to get it over the line ASAP,” Davis said, whose relationship with Clarke stretches back to his days as general manager of Dunlop Slazenger, which first signed Clarke when he was 13.

The value of the latest deal has not been finalised, but bat companies competing to sign Clarke expected they would have to pay more than $1million for the privilege.

However, an industry insider predicted the successful bidder could make three times its investment from having Clarke as part of its marketing machine.

Slazenger dropped Clarke’s sponsorship for financial reasons ad it could not meet Clarke’s asking price, which naturally had grown with his appointment to the Australian captaincy.