England has blasted itself into the cricket World Cup final after a comfortable victory against old enemies Australia.
Eoin Morgan’s team will face New Zealand on Sunday after an eight wicket win in their semi-final at Edgbaston, which was marked by a heroic innings from opener Jason Roy.
And the showpiece event will for the first time in the tournament, which has been held in England, be screened on free-to-air television.
England cricket’s authorities have faced criticism for selling the rights to Sky Sports, keeping the tournament behind a subscription paywall.
It’s part of deal ongoing since 2005, which gives Sky exclusive rights to show ICC tournaments until 2024.
But Sunday’s game at Lord’s, the ‘home of cricket’, will be screened free-to-air on Channel 4 and More 4, TV bosses have announced.
Channel 4 has struck a deal with Sky Sports to also show the match at Lord’s and will combine it with its live coverage of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix.
Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon said: “This is fantastic news for cricket fans and the nation.
“This Sunday is a massive day for British sport with England tantalisingly close to lifting the Cricket World Cup for the first time and Lewis Hamilton setting his sights on his seventh win at Silverstone – all live on Channel 4.”