ESSEX have agreed a new three-year sponsorship deal for its Graham Gooch Cricket Centre.

It will now be known as the Essex Auto Group Graham Gooch Cricket Centre, as the club strives to produce another Alastair Cook or Ravi Bopara.

Club chief executive David East said: “We are delighted to have Essex Auto Group supporting our indoor cricket centre – the centre is actively used throughout the year, providing first-class facilities to cricket players of all ages and abilities.”

The Cricket Centre opened in 1977 and was extended to six lanes in 1992. Over the years many thousands of cricketers have trained alongside Essex’s elite and last year there were tens of thousands of visitors to the Centre and coaching took place throughout the year.

Matt Brown, Essex Auto Group marketing director, said: “Essex Auto Group has a long standing and proud association with Essex Cricket and we are delighted to announce our involvement with the Cricket Centre and investment in youth cricket at grass root level.

“The club has long standing tradition of producing some of England’s finest professional cricketers and we hope that with our support the club will be able to continue this great legacy.”