ESPN lands ECB rights in Caribbean

International sports broadcaster ESPN has acquired rights in the Caribbean to events organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

ESPN Caribbean has signed an exclusive five-year agreement with the ECB covering international and domestic cricket played in England and Wales.

The deal covers all England men’s and women’s action and begins today (Thursday) with the men’s team’s first Test match against Pakistan at Lord’s.

The agreement also includes next year’s Ashes series against Australia, future tours of England by the West Indies and India, and a range of domestic cricket, including the new eight-team competition that debuts in 2020.

ESPN Caribbean will also televise next week’s benefit match between the West Indies and the ICC World XI at Lord’s – a fixture that has been organised to help rebuild Caribbean cricket grounds damaged by the 2017 hurricanes.

The deal marks ESPN’s first-ever agreement with the ECB in the Caribbean.