Mr Gower is due to join Sky in time to provide coverage of next summer's Cricket World Cup.

He is also contracted to front Sky's live summer and winter cricket for the next four years.

Mr Gower's channel hop comes hot on the heels of BBC's loss of England's home Test matches to Channel 4.

Barry Norman also chose Sky

Former BBC stalwarts, film critic Barry Norman and sports commentator Jimmy Hill, have also staged high profile defections to Sky this year.

Mr Gower said on Thursday: "It is an exciting time for cricket and a wonderful time to be joining Sky Sports.

"To work on 26 live matches for the World Cup is a mouth-watering prospect, but to follow that with four summers of live international and domestic cricket sealed it for me.

"Of course, I will be reunited with old Test colleagues like Ian Botham, Paul Allott and Bob Willis."

'BBC will stand him in good stead'

Sky Sports managing director Vic Wakeling said: "David is a terrific signing for Sky Sports.

"He is one of the best known and most successful cricketers of all time and a very experienced boadcaster."

A BBC Sports spokeswoman said: "We have been delighted to be involved in the development of David as a broadcaster, and I am sure that the time he has spent with the BBC will stand him in good stead."