Cup Match is being hauled into the 21st century thanks to a new sponsorship deal between Somerset Cricket Club and the Bank of Bermuda.

Hosts of this year?s annual summer classic, Somerset announced yesterday that following an agreement which makes the bank lead sponsors, an electronic scoreboard would be erected for the first time in Cup Match history.

Also the bank would sponsor the construction of ?custom-designed viewing plots? along the northern and eastern boundaries of the ground.

On making the announcement, Somerset CC president Richard Scott said: ?As we endeavour to revitalise the Cup Match fever and passion of the past, simultaneously we recognise the necessity in taking Cup Match to the next level as the premier sporting event of the year.

?As a result of this sponsorship agreement, this year?s Cup Match will see the use of an electronic scoreboard? . . . the likes of which ?have become commonplace throughout cricketing regions around the world.?

Of the viewing plots, Scott added: ?We believe these plots will give Somerset CC grounds the true feel of an arena as they will be identical to each other. It also means that the limited space we have around the pitch will be used to its full potential.

?It has been our intent to bring some uniformity to the viewing plots for some time and we are glad to report this vision is now a reality for Cup Match 2006.?

The national Under-18 side will once more be taking part in the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament thanks to a three-year sponsorship from the Montpelier Re Foundation.

The tournament takes place in Barbados and will be contested between 24 schools from around the world, including from top cricketing countries like the UK, India and South Africa, and is a key building block for the preparations of the Under-19 national team towards their goal of qualifying for the Under-19 World Cup

In selecting the squad for the Sobers tournament, the BCB have made it very clear that education is a priority and have therefore decided that those students with educational commitments were not included in the final tour party.

?Last year the Bermuda side placed fourth out of the 24 teams so this year we have high hopes of reaching the finals,? said youth coach Andre Manders.

?The team have been practising very hard, particularly in the last few months, and all of the coaches agree that they are an even stronger side than last year. It will be interesting to see how they fare against the other seven teams in their zone and hopefully we will progress to the finals.

? I am confident that the 14 chosen to join the team will represent their country in an exemplary manner and will make us all proud.?