Amazon Prime swoops on the rights to ICC events involving Australia in a major move that will see World Cup matches streamed online only for the first time in history

The future of watching cricket could be moving online with streaming giant Amazon Prime signing the first exclusive arrangement to stream ICC events, locking out Australian free-to-air networks.

The International Cricket Council announced that all of its tournaments, including Australia's World Test Championship and ODI World Cup defences, would be screened exclusively on streaming service Amazon Prime on Monday.

It's part of a landmark four-year partnership that gives Amazon Prime broadcast rights in Australia for all men's and women's ICC tournaments until 2027.

It comes after the recent ICC Men's World Cup in India shattered attendance and broadcast records.  

Foxtel/Kayo broadcast the entire recent ODI World Cup in India, while the Nine Network screened only Australia's games during the tournament.

The new announcement brings to an end the 15-year joint-venture for ICC events between Foxtel and Channel Nine, which concluded with Pat Cummins' men lifting the ODI World Cup in Ahmedabad last month. 

It is also the first broadcast deal with the ICC that is completely online.

The deal with have no impact on the Australian summer of cricket, nor will it impact The Ashes.

Australian men's Tests and all women's internationals on home soil will be broadcast live on Channel 7 while the Nine Network retains the rights to The Ashes in Australia and England.

Australian men's and women's Tests. ODIs and T20s outside of ICC events on foreign soil will be broadcast by Foxtel/Kayo.

The BBL and WBBL will be broadcast on both Channel 7 and Foxtel/Kayo.

ICC boss Geoff Allardice welcomed the partnership with Amazon.

'We are very excited to be entering a new four-year partnership with Prime Video for ICC cricket rights in Australia,' he said in a statement.

'The recently concluded men's World Cup has highlighted the interest and passion for ICC events across the globe, and especially in Australia where cricket fans have enjoyed the recent success of their men's and women's teams.

'We look forward to working with Prime Video Australia to provide an innovative coverage of world class cricket to more fans in Australia.'

The new partnership between the ICC and Amazon will begin in January.

'The Cricket World Cup is one of the most viewed sporting events in the world; the recently concluded edition was watched by hundreds of millions of people,' Prime Video Australia and New Zealand boss Hushidar Kharas said.

'Over the next four years, Prime members in Australia will be able to watch their favourite cricket teams and players compete for the game's biggest prize, on demand, on the device of their choice — exclusively on Prime Video.'

While Amazon Prime previously ran the documentary series The Test, this is the online broadcaster's first foray into live cricket matches.

The streaming company has also released sporting documentaries Making Their Mark, Shane, Warriors on the Field, and Kick Like Tayla.

The announcement comes after Federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland introduced laws to parliament updating anti-siphoning measures last week that would require free-to-air services to be offered first refusal for important sporting events. 

'All Australians regardless of where they live, or what they earn, should have the opportunity to enjoy free TV coverage of iconic sporting events,' Rowland said.