British broadcaster BSkyB says it has finalised new television rights deals with Australia, South Africa and India.
The four-year deal with Cricket Australia includes next year’s Ashes series and South Africa’s visit later in 2012, as well as coverage of the Big Bash League.
In South Africa, BSkyB has bought television rights to home cricket internationals and domestic Twenty20 competition for the next eight years.
In India, Sky’s six-year deal encompasses tours involving Australia, England and South Africa.
Despite recent problems within Cricket South Africa, which suspended its chief executive in March because of his hidden bonus payments, the British broadcaster agreed to a deal with CSA on Wednesday until 2020 to televise the games exclusively in Britain and Ireland.
The agreement covers two England tours – in 2015 and 2019 – as well as trips by Australia, India and Pakistan, among others.
South Africa last month toppled England as the top-ranked test team in the world despite the administrative problems back home. The Proteas are also level with England at the top of the one-day standings, and have recently enjoyed a run of success in all formats under coach Gary Kirsten.
South Africa is second to England in cricket’s shortest format and one of the favourites to win the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka. Its domestic T20 league has attracted foreign players, including former England batsman Owais Shah, who plays for the Cape Town-based Cape Cobras.