The Twenty20 Cup competition will be introduced this coming season, replacing the old Benson & Hedges Cup. Played by the 18 First Class Counties, the 20 overs-a-side matches last just two hours 45 minutes thus creating a shortened, fast-paced version of the traditional one-day game.
With a host of off-the-field entertainment, the ECB hopes the competition will win over a new generation of fans put off by the long duration of regular games.
The energy firm, which already sponsors England international home Test matches, will receive on-pitch, in-stadia and perimeter branding rights as well as a ticket allocation and use of the official marks for marketing purposes.
Said ECB chief executive Tim Lamb: "It is an innovative tournament that will market county cricket in an exciting new way to young people all over the country. npower markets to thousands of business units in the UK, so they will take the lead in marketing the competition through the workplace channel and we hope to see many people coming with their colleagues to the matches after work"
