LONDON, Dec 16: Mobile phone firm Vodafone announced on Tuesday they would not be renewing their sponsorship of the England cricket team when their current deal expires in 13 months.

The telecommunications company, who have sponsored England for 12 years, will end their backing following the tour of South Africa in January 2010.

Vodafone’s decision was announced the day after England’s six-wicket loss in Chennai in the first of their two-Test series against India.—AFP