Emirates Airline will be financially responsible for salaries, travel, training and administrative costs for the 13 match officials for the next three years.

"This is a significant and substantial commercial partnership and I am delighted to welcome Emirates as an official ICC business partner.

"In a difficult market for sponsorship and media rights, the agreement represents excellent value to the game and demonstartes the enduring appeal of international cricket to the corporate world," said ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed.

The airline, which has also sponsored Chelsea FC, the Dubai Cup horse race, tennis and golf, succeeds National Grid, who backed ICC match officials for six years until 2000.

The eight umpires and five match referees are now responsible for all Test cricket.

The elite panel was introduced by the ICC in an attempt to achieve improved consistency in decision-making.