The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has secured a multi-million-dollar broadcast rights deal with two of the world's largest sports media that guarantees coverage of all the Caribbean team's games for the next four years.

The deal, which is valued in excess of US$80 million, was concluded yesterday and becomes effective immediately, with the West Indies home series against Sri Lanka next month.

Under the deal, Sky Television will own broadcast rights in the United Kingdom, while Dubai-based Taj Television, also known as Ten Sports, will broadcast the Windies' games in the rest of the world.

A total of 25 Tests, 50 one-day internationals and nine 20/20 games are covered under the deal about which WICB counsel, Derek Jones, who is also a partner at Myers, Fletcher and Gordon, appeared very pleased.

"Myers, Fletcher and Gordon are very excited to be a part of this," Jones told the Observer yesterday.

"Hopefully this will provide some of the funding for the strategic plan of the West Indies Cricket Board to take West Indies cricket back to the top where we belong."

Jones, who had been involved in the selection process for the past three-and-a-half months, said 10 bidders responded to the tender offer. He declined to name the other bidders, offering only that the WICB was very encouraged by the range of bids.

"We had bids from some of the greatest names in worldwide sports broadcasting," said Jones.

Australia's tour of the West Indies, which was pushed back to later this year, will be covered under the deal.

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