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I received an interesting email today from the press office at Essex County Cricket club. It was titled: Threat to sustained investment in facilities and cricket in Essex.
This rather mundane title preceded 1,256 words which outlined the Doomsday scenario facing domestic cricket if home Ashes Tests are returned to free-to-air television.
That was the recommendation made by a government advisory panel last November, who were tasked with reviewing the Listed Events ruling, which governs which sports events should be reserved to be screened by terrestrial TV only.
The panel was chaired by former Football Association chairman David Davies and their recommendations are currently under consultation by Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw and Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe.
They are expected to reach their decision before the General Election - which in all probability will be some time in late April or early May. Any move to return Ashes cricket to terrestrial TV would be a populist vote winner before polling day.
However, if Essex County Cricket club are to be believed that populist move would bankrupt domestic cricket. Their email warns of 'a terminal decline in standards and possible decay of cricket in England' should Sky lose the rights to home Ashes series. The county are also fearful that their proposed ground redevelopment plans would have to be shelved if their cut of the Sky money is reduced.
Essex are not alone. I understand the email I received is part of a concerted campaign - backed by the ECB - which all 18 counties are undertaking to ensure the Davies recommendations are rejected. Every county has been mobilising their local MP. A contact close to the ECB confirmed:'The damage that listing the Ashes [would do] to international cricket, domestic cricket and grass-roots cricket is enormous.'
At present, 80 per cent of the England & Wales Cricket Board's revenue is believed to come from their TV deal with Sky. They are predicted to lose up to £150million if the government forces home Ashes Tests back on to free-to-air TV. The counties would make up for that shortfall with reduced payments from the ECB, who currently divvy up the TV money between the 18 first-class counties.
Essex's email continues: 'The recommendation that live coverage of the Ashes home Test series is protected for free to air broadcasters is not a scenario that anyone wanted - not cricket, nor any of the terrestrial broadcasters. Yet it has become a recommendation, made without consideration to the financial implications, which could damage cricket’s delicate eco-system.'
To state 'nobody' wants the Ashes back on terrestrial TV is complete rubbish. How many viewers watched the triumphant Ashes climax at the Oval in 2005? Seven million. Just two million watched the concluding match of last year's series against Australia, which was only available on Sky.
However, the decision by the government must be made with the best interests of everybody in mind. If I were making it I'd struggle to come to a decision.
Yes, I think all Tests (not just home Ashes ones) should be available on 'normal' TV. I remember falling in love with cricket as a kid watching Graham Gooch score his 333 against India in 1990. I also remember Shane Warne's Ball of the Century against Mike Gatting in 1993. Both were on free-to-air TV and both those moments were contributing factors in my early love affair with cricket.
I saw it on TV and so I wanted to play the game and I also wanted to go and watch my local county - which was Essex. I became a member of the club and I'm sure countless others kids inspired by events they'd seen on TV did the same. Nowadays, those kids without access to satellite TV may be lost.
But on the other hand I look at the modern game and you look at Sky's coverage and it is quite simply brilliant. They have transformed sports broadcasting and there's no doubt the TV money they provide is vital to the game. But how vital? What would be more damaging - losing the money from the Ashes Tests or the revenue from the Twenty20 Cup? I don't know that answer but don't tell me the Twenty20 Cup is not a massive earner for counties.
Then there's the terrestrial broadcasters. Where were they when Sky snapped up home Test matches? Why have the BBC spent millions of license fee payer's cash on Formula One - a sport of marginal popularity when compared to cricket - and ignored ECB overtures to even bid for a highlights package?
Why should the BBC be given a helping hand by the government when they have shown scant regard for the sport in recent years?
These are all questions that need to be answered but I'm glad I'm not making the decision. I'll leave that up to the politicians.