Sydney, Jan. 4 : Former England opener and now commentator David Lloyd has said England''s Ashes success is due to the millions that have been put back into the game from a television deal.

Lloyd said the 300 million pound television deal with Sky Sports has seen money poured into developing professional cricket in England.

The contract between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Sky Sports gives the network exclusive live coverage of the Ashes until the conclusion of 2013, Fox Sports reports.

"There''s a lot of money swinging around in England cricket. On the back of a big deal television and the way that money is spent we have seen a huge change in how England play cricket. I can say that because I know all about the deal and how the money is being used," Lloyd told Fox Sports Inside Cricket.

Lloyd believes the new mental strength of the England cricket team has been exemplified in Jonathan Trott''s ability to stay at the crease for extended periods through the Ashes series.

Having retained the Ashes, England has publicly set their sights on becoming the best cricketing nation in the world.

Former Australia batsman Mark Waugh said: "The way they (England) are playing, it is a real possibility that they will be the No. 1 country in the next two or three years." (ANI)