"Growing our business in the on-line world is vital for us to serve sports fans," said Russell Wolff, managing director of ESPN International. "Cricinfo is a tremendous property with a great fan base and it will be a strong addition to ESPN."

The purchase of Cricinfo will add to ESPN’s on-line portfolio, which includes ESPN.com, ESPNdeportes.com, a Spanish language sports Web site and ESPNsoccernet.com.

Wisden Group director Mark Getty, said: "Cricinfo has developed into a significant cricket brand in its own right, combining huge global popularity with strong commercial success."

"ESPN is a major sports broadcaster and international rights holder and will provide the perfect environment for Cricinfo to further realize its enormous potential. The Wisden Group will continue to focus on its Hawk-Eye sports technology business in cricket, tennis and a growing range of other sports."

ESPN’s digital media initiatives deliver a combination of live and on demand sport events, including sports news, scores, analysis, on demand video, fantasy sports, video games, mobile and other platforms.