Sky Sports dedicate channel to Ashes series

Sky Sports have announced that they will dedicate an entire channel to the Ashes series this summer.

The contest between England and Australia begins on July 10, but Sky will be providing plenty of build-up as their regular Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports 2 HD channels will be transformed into Sky Sports Ashes HD from June 30 to August 31.

Following the news England batsman Kevin Pietersen wrote on Twitter: "A full HD cricket channel from June 30.. Well done Sky Sports! Brilliant initiative for all is cricket lovers! Thank you, SKY!"

The channel will also broadcast live county matches as well as the Women's Ashes.