Terrestrial TV debate returns

John Grogan, the Labour MP for Selby, has called for cricket - in particular the broadcasting of the Ashes - to return to terrestrial television.

Grogan, who helped front the 2005 campaign Keep Cricket Free, insisted in a commons debate that cricket should return to the list of "crown jewels" - sports which cannot be shown exclusively on pay-TV. The ECB sold the rights to BSkyB on a four-year deal in 2006 and, ever since, have defended their decision while insisting it was made with the best interests of "cricket as a whole".

Sky's viewing figures have been disappointing, however, hovering around 250,000 people - significantly less than the estimated 8 million who tuned in to watch England regain the Ashes in September 2005.

"The whole nation, it seems, stopped on that Monday," Grogan said in parliament. "London was quiet, people were putting up televisions in schools so the kids could watch it, people were trying to catch a sight of a television in their workplace.

"Clearly a youngster watching the swashbuckling antics of a Freddie Flintoff or a Kevin Pietersen will be inspired -- and of course that's on-field antics, not off-field antics."

In response, Gerry Sutcliffe - the sports minister who replaced Richard Caborn last June - said it was "something that should be considered, clearly" and added: "My natural instincts would be to agree with you but let me move forward and deal with the process in the proper way."

Sky's exclusive deal - worth £220m - expires in 2009, and a review of the protected list of events is likely to take place this year or next.