Quick finishes short change ECB

The ECB, though naturally delighted by England's heart-stopping victory at Lord's, face the sobering prospect of the loss of revenue caused by two consecutive three-day Test Match finishes. Some £1 million has had to be refunded after the quick conclusions at Birmingham and Lord's - money whch they had hoped to use in coaching and bringing forward the next generation.

Nevertheless what may have been lost at the swings could be regained at the roundabouts at the short-term loss could be more than compensated by the enhancement in cricket's popularity due to such excitement.