I went to local businesses in my area (Surrey) and asked them if they would pay for a percentage of my equipment needs throughout the season if I displayed their company on my cricket bat and other equipment. Asked quite a few until one - Select Asset Management - said yes! As they put it, they will 'pay for the privilege of using my bat to display their company' and that is 10% of any item up to £500 in total. It works out to £50, which is actually quite a lot considering im only a club player and its a local business.
All other I asked bar Select said no. One cab office said they would think about it but im not sure If I want lots of sticker on the bat - one seems enough, although I can still imagine the sledging opportunities from that!
I think this is a good way of getting better quality equipment. Local businesses are run by good word of mouth an dont advertise much but this maybe represents a cheaper way of promoting the company. Im sure some of you guys could get a similar deal
Cheers