A new sponsor has been found for the West Indies squad, currently involved in a row over payments for their proposed tour of South Africa.

South African cricket chief Dr Ali Bacher announced the news as talks between rebel cricketers and the West Indies management went into the night.

According to Bacher, a deal has been struck by former South African wicketkeeper David Richardson, who was approached by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), raising hopes of a breakthrough in the negotiations. Richardson, a qualified lawyer, has a sports marketing company, ESPM, based in Johannesburg. He told Bacher that the deal had been done on Friday.

"I told Chris Dehring, the West Indies' marketing manager, about the deal when he arrived here." Bacher said. "The players don't know about it yet but I expect they will be told during negotiations."

Richardson said that while the sponsorship money will be coming from South Africa, it will have nothing to do with the United Cricket Board of South Africa. But Richardson strongly hinted that sacked team captain Brian Lara and vice-captain Carl Hooper would be vital to the deal and would have to be reinstated.