Sporting Digest: Cricket

RAVI SHASTRI, the 32-year-old Indian all-rounder, has announced his retirement from first-class cricket. Shastri, who also played for Glamorgan, scored over 3,000 runs and took more than 100 wickets in his 80 Test matches, figures which he matched in his 150 one-day internationals. Shastri cited lack of motivation as the reason for his retirement.

CORNHILL Insurance have signed a new pounds 6.4m deal to extend their sponsorship of English Test cricket to 1997. The three-year deal incorporates Test series against the West Indies next year, India and Pakistan in 1996, and Australia in 1997. Cornhill began their backing in 1978.