Sky Sports will show all of England’s home internationals and county cricket until 2017, while highlights will remain on Channel 5 after both broadcasters renewed their contracts with the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Nothing will change for viewers, with the same amount of cricket being shown as under the current deal that expires at the end of the 2013 season. While disappointingly for non-subscribers all live action will remain on Sky, at least some solace can be found in the security of daily free-to-air highlights for the next six years.

The contract covers the 2015 Ashes series, as well as tours to the country by India (2014), Pakistan (2016), and South Africa (2017). Also included is county cricket, and Sky will continue to show at least 60 live matches across whatever various competitions the ECB are putting their name to until the contract expires.

This was an open tender process where anybody was invited to bid for the rights, but as part of this deal Sky will have the first option on extending their contract for a further two years if they wish. That will cover series against India in 2018, and Australia in 2019.

The deal made simple:

• Runs from the 2014-2017 seasons, and Sky have the option of a further two-year extension

• All of England’s home Test matches, One-Day Internationals, and Twenty20 matches will be exclusively live on Sky Sports

• Highlights of the above will be shown on Channel 5

• At least 60 live county matches across all competitions will be shown live on Sky Sports, plus selected England Women and Lions fixtures