Early start for C&G Trophy semi-finals

Channel 4 have successfully arranged for an early start to the semi-finals of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy. Both matches will now start at 10.15am, in an attempt to avoid a repeat of the situation in the first Test against Zimbabwe at Lord's, when live transmission was cut on the dot of 6 o'clock.

Gloucestershire's match against Derbyshire will be broadcast live from Bristol on Thursday, August 7, with Worcestershire's home tie against Lancashire following two days later. Reserve days have been allocated for both matches to avoid, if possible, the use of the Duckworth/Lewis system to engineer a result.

Speaking after the Lord's Test, Tim Lamb, the chief executive of the ECB, had expressed his disappointment at Channel 4's failure to provide full coverage, and had raised the possibility of an earlier start to England Test matches, which have already been brought forward to 10.45am this year.

"We are seriously considering [Channel 4's] requirements and we will be discussing a 10.30am start as of from next year," said Lamb. "It is very disappointing when we don't see the end of play live on TV, but we are talking to Channel 4 in an atmosphere of cooperation and consultation. We understand the constraints they are working under in terms of scheduling, particularly when they are trying to attract that important early evening 18 to 34-year-old audience."

Thursday, August 7 Gloucestershire v Derbyshire at Bristol
Saturday, August 9 Worcestershire v Lancashire at Worcester