NEW DELHI, Oct 4: Fans heaved a sigh of relief Monday after the Indian cricket board reportedly struck a last-minute deal with the national broadcaster to telecast live Test matches against Australia and South Africa.

Doordarshan sealed the rights to show both series in October and November following agreement with board officials, ending weeks of uncertainty and speculation.

"The Indian board has agreed to give us exclusive telecast rights. We'll show the matches on our national and sports channels," a top official from Prasar Bharti, an administrative body governing Doordarshan, told the Times of India.

The US$22-million deal includes four Test matches against Australia, two against South Africa and a one-dayer against Pakistan, Prasar Bharti chief executive officer K.S. Sarma told the paper. -AFP