The Independent's Nick Harris writes about the stand-off between the England board and their kit suppliers, Adidas, over advertisements on the players' trousers. The situation has arisen since the players have previously worn trousers from different manufacturers, which allowed for the particular company’s logo to be placed on each players' left thigh. The board's "all-inclusive" contract, which allows Adidas to place to small logo on the same spot, was reportedly signed without the players' consultation.
The colour of England's new kit further complicates the issue. Historically, cricket whites have always been off-white – a cream colour – but the clothing Vaughan's side will wear for the first time at Lord's is brilliant white. The trousers have red piping down each leg, too.
In an attempt to avoid the embarrassment of players wearing trousers that are different in colour to the shirt and sweaters they don, kit manufacturers such as Gray Nichols have sent Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss and James Anderson identical whites to those issued by the ECB with their company logo replacing that of adidas. If the kit they are sent does not look right, they may yet wear their official trousers, but with tape covering the sponsor's logo.
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