TalkSPORT win rights to England's tour of India in 2020-21

The channel, which recently covered the trip to Sri Lanka and holds the exclusive rights to England's upcoming visit to West Indies, confirmed the news via its social media accounts on Tuesday

TalkSPORT have won the broadcast rights for ball-by-ball commentary of England's tour of India in 2020-21.

The channel, which recently covered the trip to Sri Lanka and holds the exclusive rights to England's upcoming visit to West Indies, confirmed the news via its social media accounts on Tuesday.

It means the BBC's flagship cricket programme Test Match Special will miss out on another series, having this winter gone without any live coverage of Engand games for the first time since 2004-05.

England's trip to South Africa, scheduled for November and December of this year, also falls under the remit of TalkSPORT.

TalkSPORT covered England's recent tour of Sri Lanka

The station's national radio controller, Liam Fisher, said: “After broadcasting England’s comprehensive series wins out in Sri Lanka, it’s great to follow this up with winning the rights to one of the best series in the cricket calendar in India.

“With exclusive coverage of West Indies and South Africa over the next 14 months we will continue to provide excellent ball-by-ball coverage for cricket fans.”

Darren Gough, Mark Nicholas and Matt Prior fronted the talkSPORT coverage from Sri Lanka last year, while Sky Sports regulars including David Lloyd made guest appearances on the broadcasts.

Gough said: “Watching India’s performance against Australia has whetted my appetite for when England tour India in 2020 and 2021. It will be a fascinating contest and one of England’s greatest challenges.

“Joe Root’s England are on a high and if they can secure a series win in India it will take them to a whole new level.”

According to the ICC's Future Tours Programme, England will play three one-day internationals and three T20Is in India prior to the 2020 World T20, before returning in January 2021 for a five-Test series.