Whilst a shame for Newbery, the majority of big name sponsorship contracts are for the calendar year - it's highly likely NB will have snapped him up a while back and it's just been under the radar until now.
Of course you at correct there, the same contract almost certainly applies to Stoneman who is not an established test player by any means.
It may be old fashioned but like
@edge, a player sticking with a smaller company so they get exposure as well brings a smile to my face.
It doesn't happen very often in the modern day. I really like Stoneman as a player it's just another reason to like him. opening the batting for England in an Ashes tour is big exposure for a manufacturer.
Ravi bops used Warsop in a purple patch a few years ago, their sales of the platinum model increased hugely and that can only be good for a small company.
They did send Bops 30 odd bats in a season once as I asked them when I was down there
He did of course get a contract with GM.
You can't blame any player for taking a contract, it's just nice to see some loyalty.