Strictly is on its way back! Don't miss our regular newsletter round-up with the latest show news Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

BT Sport is taking on Sky Sports in cricket now after signing a new whopping £80 million deal with Cricket Australia to broadcast extended cricket coverage over the next five years.

The deal will now see BT Sport televise England's defence of the Ashes in the five-match 2017-18 test series, as well as all Australian Test Matches, One Day Internationals and T20 Internationals played in Australia.

Australia's Twenty20 KFC Big Bash League is also included as part of the rights and could prove a huge hit, as international stars head down under, including current and former England stars Stuart Broad and Kevin Pietersen .

Here's all you need to know about cricket on BT Sport:

(Image: Getty)

Since when has cricket been on BT Sport, I thought they were into football and rugby?

BT Sport are very keen on cricket and after testing the water with the Caribbean Premier League, this is their next major move in the sport after securing the rights to Australia's home internationals and their T20 Big Bash league in a five-year deal.

That must have cost a bit.

The deal is thought to be worth £80 million or £16 million per year, which is far more than Sky used to pay for it, but that is the premium for the new boys to enter a competitive market.

(Image: Stu Forster/Getty) (Image: AFP/Getty)

So how much do I have to pay then?

If you've got BT TV and broadband then you will already be entitled to BT Sport, but if you're just a BT broadband customer or a Sky or Virgin customer then you have to pay an extra premium ranging from £6 per month to £21.99 per month.

Will I be able to see England play on BT Sport?

Yes, but you'll have to wait until next winter when they head Down Under for the Ashes. This week things kick of with the Australia v South Africa Test series with an ODI series against New Zealand and a full Pakistan tour to follow this winter.

(Image: Michael Steele)

Who are going to be the commentators and pundits though? Don't all ex-captains work for Sky Sports?

BT Sport have got Ashes winning skipper Michael Vaughan and former off-spinner Graeme Swann on board and both are very comfortable in a studio, but the real coup is tempting Aussie legend Ricky Ponting to set up home in Stratford for part of the winter.

Out in Australia Kevin Pietersen will be their pundit on the ground with roving reporter and one-time broadcaster of the year Alison Mitchell alongside him.

Bringing it all together is Greg James, who is a new face as the main presenter, but a familiar voice as the Radio 1 DJ who also hosts an occasional cricket-related show with Swann and Jimmy Anderson.

(Image: BT Sport)

Will they do things much differently to Sky?

BT Sport have shown with their Premiership rugby coverage that they will do things their own way, making use of their large studio space in the former home for 2012 Olympic broadcasters. The coverage is being produced by Sunset and Vine who are hugely experienced and innovative. They were behind Channel 4's live coverage up until 2005 and they have been bringing Channel 5's highlights to life for many years.

(Image: Mark Nolan - CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images) (Image: Scott Barbour)

Does this mean BT Sport are going to show more and more cricket?

It could be the start of something for BT who are set to compete fiercely with Sky for the rights to English international and domestic cricket from 2020 which will include a new T20 tournament.

There are lots of options when it comes to live cricket broadcasting with overseas tours and ICC global events up for auction at regular intervals. Sky have the vast majority, but they will have to fight to keep it all.

So if I just want to see English cricketers perform this winter I'll be ok with Sky?

That's not strictly true with so many of England's men and women heading to Australia to play in the Big Bash. Players like Stuart Broad, Adil Rashid, Ian Bell, and Kevin Pietersen will all be appearing in the tournament, while Charlotte Edwards leads the way in the women's BBL along with Heather Knight, Anya Shrubsole and Katherine Brunt.