Australian cricket fans have been left in the dark after no broadcaster acquired the rights to show international cricket from England.

Fox Sports, which had televised all internationals and selected domestic cricket from England since 2002, either live or in highlights form, has not recommitted to broadcasting matches this season. The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed to Fairfax Media over the weekend that no deal has been reached with an Australian broadcaster to cover matches during the 2014 English summer, meaning that those wanting to watch Sri Lanka’s tour of England which began last month, or the subsequent England-India series, are unable to do so legally.

Australian cricket fans have been unable to watch the entertaining series between England and Sri Lanka Credit:AFP

Hoards of disgruntled cricket enthusiasts have taken to Twitter and internet forums seeking an explanation with many threatening to cancel their Foxtel subscriptions as a result of the blackout.

A Fox Sports spokesperson told Fairfax Media that the network does not currently have any international cricket tours on its broadcasting calendar until December. This period includes Australian tours to Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates (to play Pakistan). Away internationals played by the national team have been a staple of Foxtel’s schedule since the pay-TV operator was launched in 1995.