PERTEMPS SPONSORS INTERNATIONAL CRICKET

Birmingham-based Pertemps will be powering Britain's first indoor cricket competition between the world's top players in Cardiff this week.

The nationwide recruitment agency is sponsoring the Pertemps Power Cricket Cup being played at the Millennium Stadium from October 4-5.

England captain Nasser Hussain will be leading The Brits against The Rest of the World, led by New Zealand's Stephen Fleming, in two 30-over games played over two evenings on an artificial pitch under roof and under lights.

The competition, the brainchild of Godalming-based DP Cricket, promises non-stop entertainment from start to finish, with two 15-over innings per side, scoring rules to suit shorter boundaries and player substitutions..

Each game, expected to last around five hours, is being televised by Sky Sports, who are organising the event with the support of the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Millennium Stadium.

Nasser Hussain, said: "I'm convinced that Power Cricket will prove to be a dynamic new form of the game and will attract great interest and support throughout the country and beyond - especially as rain will never stop play!"

Tim Jones, Pertemps Marketing Director, said: "Pertemps already runs 'Cricket without Boundaries', a Birmingham-based initiative aimed at encouraging inner-city youngsters to take up the sport and enhance their self-esteem. We are now delighted to raise our involvement in cricket to the highest levels in a competition that should also attract a younger audience."

Sarah Dunster of DP Cricket, said: "We expect Power Cricket to grow globally and the Pertemps Power Cup is just the first step in plans already under way to stage triangular tournaments and a league by 2005."