NatWest have been an innovative and passionate presence at the heart of international, domestic and grassroots cricket in England for more than a quarter of a century.

NatWest's involvement began as far back as the summer of 1981 when they succeeded Gillette as the sponsors of the domestic game's premier one-day knockout competition.

The NatWest Trophy was born and for the next twenty seasons the competition witnessed a succession of thrilling games. None more so than in 1993 when Warwickshire won the final at Lord's against Sussex off the last ball.

Eight years ago NatWest began to concentrate on international cricket with the launch of the NatWest series, a tournament of one-day internationals between England and the touring sides each summer.

In 2005 England and Australia played out an extraordinary tied NatWest Series final at Lord's, while last year England triumphed against India over seven thrilling games.

For the last three years NatWest has also staged at least one Twenty20 International game, and this year England will face New Zealand at Old Trafford and South Africa at the Riverside in this exciting format.

As well as providing a stage for the biggest names in today's game, NatWest is helping to nurture the leading players of tomorrow with a variety of schemes including Speed Stars, a nationwide search for the country's fastest bowlers, and CricketForce, which helps to renovate and improve local communities' grounds and clubhouses.