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England may lose Test sponsorship

English Test cricket's major sponsors are considering ending their financial backing because of the England team's ''long term poor performances''.

Cornhill Insurance spokesman Geoff Meyhew told BBC radio today that his company, sponsors of English Test cricket since 1978, was concerned about England's long term performances because it impacted on audiences and ''that's effectively what we're buying.

''If these performances continue to produce an adverse effect on the perception people have of cricket then we will have to consider our position with cricket as a major sponsor.''

Meyhew's warning followed two poor performances by England in the current four-match Test series against New Zealand.

After winning the first Test England were heavily beaten in the second and rain almost certainly saved them from defeat in the third.

The deciding Test begins at The Oval today.

Last year three other companies ended sponsorship deals with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

UNI