Beer and cricket "go hand in hand for many Australians and the captain of the national team, Steven Smith, sees little problem with the logo of a local brew being prominently featured on his test shirt," according to Ian Ransom of REUTERS. The "Victoria Bitter" logo has been emblazoned on Australian kits for a number of years, but the lucrative sponsorship deal came under fire this week from New South Wales state premier Mike Baird, who has slammed the use of alcohol advertising in cricket and other local sports. Baird told a charity dinner that it was an "incredible position" that Smith and teammates would play with the logos prominently displayed. Smith, who plays for New South Wales in the domestic Sheffield Shield, "was unfazed, however." Smith said, "I don't think we have any problem with it. We actively try to get out messages. ... We're promoting the brand. Not the consumption of alcohol." Beer-soaked celebrations "have been a part of the dressing room culture for most Australian teams of recent vintage." Beer logos "have not gone down well with all local players, however, with Pakistan-born legspinner Fawad Ahmed granted permission to play without one on his shirt during one-day matches in 2013 in deference to his Muslim faith" (REUTERS, 9/19).
