“Social cricket” hospitality chain Sixes has landed investment from England cricket stars Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer as it prepares to expand into the US.
4CAST investment group, which was founded by Stokes, Broad and Archer, will provide funding to help Sixes - a food and drink venue with batting nets and bowling machines for customers to test out their batting skills - expand.
"We are delighted to announce our partnership with Sixes,” Broad said. “As one of our early investments, we believe Sixes is a fantastic concept that brings new experiences and innovations to cricket, whilst attracting new people to the sport. We are all excited to be part of its growth and development, particularly with the launch in the USA this June.”
It comes as Sixes, which has seven sites including four in London, prepares to open its first international venue, in Dallas, Texas.
Sixes CEO & Co-Founder, Calum Mackinnon, who also founded London restaurant Mac & Wild, said: “One of our founding beliefs at Sixes is that sport and hospitality hold an unrivalled ability to unite and connect people for good, and good times shared.
“We look forward to sharing and building this next phase of the Sixes journey with 4CAST and their athletes.”
As part of the partnership, Sixes will also launch the “4CAST bowling attack”, where customers can face balls designed to replicate those of Broad and Archer.