"LG’s current sponsorship of David Warner is in the final weeks, and in light of recent events, we have decided not to renew our partnership. "LG Australia will always look to work with ambassadors that share our core brand values and we take these relationships incredibly seriously to ensure we put our customers, employees and stakeholders first," the company said in a statement to Fairfax Media. LG's move is a damaging blow to the pugnacious opening batsman, who is one of the team's most high-profile players, and who is also sponsored by the likes of cricket bat-maker and cricket apparel company Gray-Nicholls, and Asics. Other sponsors of individual cricketers, or of Cricket Australia, were reluctant to comment on Wednesday as they waited for the latest news from South Africa. New Balance, which sponsors Steve Smith but not the Australian cricket team, would not comment on Wednesday.

“New Balance will wait for CA's [Cricket Australia] official announcement on the findings and actions from their investigation before making any comments,” the company said in a statement. Asked whether the company was considering dumping its sponsorship deal with Steve Smith, the company said: “We need to wait for CA’s official announcement on the findings and actions from their investigation before commenting.” Gillette, a major sponsor of the recent One Day International Series between the Australian and English cricket teams in January, released a statement on Wednesday in response to media inquiries. "We are shocked and disappointed to see the recent news regarding members of the Australian Cricket team. "At P&G (Procter and Gamble) and Gillette, integrity is paramount and underpins everything we do. As such, we are closely following Cricket Australia’s ongoing response to this situation," a Gillette spokesperson said in a statement.

Australia's top cricketers can earn big money from lucrative sponsorship deals, with some suggestions that some players can double their Cricket Australia contract pay via these deals. The sponsorship deals are often contingent upon the respective player's good form on the field, the team winning and, often, their good behaviour and popularity off the field. Shane Warne has enjoyed a long-term relationship with Advanced Hair. Credit:Daniel Pockett Sponsorship relationships between companies and players can last for years. In some cases, top players can continue to be well rewarded for commercial deals well after they have retired. Top Australian cricketers seen regularly on Australian television commercials promoting products - long after they retired from playing for their country - include batting greats Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and Mark Taylor, legendary former fast bowler Dennis Lillee, and spinning great Shane Warne.