Sky lands Stanford 20/20 cricket

Sky Sports has won the rights to show the inaugural Stanford 20/20 for 20 cricket match in the autumn.

The winner-takes-all game between England and the Stanford Superstars on 1 November has a $20m prize - the biggest ever for a team sport contest.

Sky also has exclusive rights to the Stanford Super Six in October, with matches involving Trinidad and Tobago, England, Stanford Superstars and new 20/20 county champions, Middlesex.

Texan billionaire Sir Allen Stanford is funding the competition in order to revive interest in West Indian cricket.

Former England cricketer, and Sky Sport commentator, Sir Ian Botham said: "The Stanford 20/20 format is about excitement, drama and pressure. I can't wait to see how the players respond I'm sure our viewers feel the same."

Former England coach David Lloyd said: "This is the latest chapter of the 20/20 story on Sky Sports. It's a mouth-watering addition to our cricket schedules."

The broadcaster also announced a deal with the European Rugby Cup (ERC) to show 35 live games from the first round of the 2008/09 Heineken Cup competition.

Executive producer Martin Turner said: "The Heineken Cup is better than ever and supported by great television coverage.

"There are more matches and more chances for fans to see their team, giving viewers at home more reasons to tune in."