SA players caught on the crease
Source: News24 - August 21, 2002

They may not be as marketable as some of world cricket's other big names, but South African cricketers are still very much affected by the current sponsorship rights crisis.

India's Sachin Tendulkar is easily the player most affected. The master batsman, who is also the world's richest cricketer, has just renewed a five-year contract with WorldTel worth about R200-million. He also endorses adidas, Visa, Pepsi, Fiat and a number of Indian brands.

None of South Africa's cricketers are even close to that league, but they still stand to lose out.

Jonty Rhodes has a long-time sponsorship deal with electronics company Sharp, which is in competition with major World Cup sponsor LG.

Herschelle Gibbs is sponsored by electronics company Nashua.

Players' agent Andrew Shedlock, who represents Lance Klusener and Neil McKenzie, said his players had lost out on potential sponsorships as a result of the ICC requirements.

"We've been restricted with what we can find for the players. I've put everything on hold until this issue is resolved in order to find out what they can and can't do," he said. - Own Correspondent