Will broadcasters pay the price?

This would be a crushing blow for the game's governing body and its ten Test-playing countries, including Australia, which could expect tens of millions of dollars over the life of the agreement.

Harish Thawani, head of rival company, Nimbus Communications, which paid an amazing $US612 million for the rights to cricket in India, said there had been dramatic changes in the country, where broadcast rights were now worth substantially less. "There has been a lot of talk on the streets that there has been some alarm in the minds of rights holders," Thawani said. “I can confirm on our own behalf, given the fairly dramatic regulatory changes that have taken place in India of late, I think it's a matter of concern for all sports broadcasters and agencies as to what cricket rights are going to be worth."