Test Cricket on terrestrial TV

I'd be happy if it was just The Ashes (at home and in Australia) that was protected, but I would prefer in addition to that all home test matches to be protected; allow Sky to still have the right to bid for away test matches and one-day internationals

I think there are three categories of cricket supporter at the moment.

Those, like me, who have been following cricket since 1953 and have no intention of ever stopping.

Those who got hooked this year for the Ashes, have developed a real interest and will stick with it from now on, through thick and thin; very much as I did after 1953.

Those who got "partially" hooked this year, but will, as you say, drift away again if the winning streak drifts away as well.

It'll be interesting to see how many fall into which of those last two categories.

I suspect it's only those in the last category who will be affected by the loss of cricket on free-to-air television; those in the first two categories will either already have Sky Sports or be ordering it as I speak.

Someone's giving away their age!

Your pretty much right with your three categories - but the thing is now it's going to Sky, it is the people in the second category cricket will lose. These are the people who would watch it if it was still free to air, but will quickly lose interest if it's not on our screens!


P.S. Anyone know what Mark Nicholas is up to next?

Spending more time with his Daily Telegraph column?
He was going be a commentator this winter for Channel 9, but apparently the new boss of the station said he didn't want him, so that is that.

I guess it all depends on who wins the tender to provide Five with the highlights. If Sunset and Vine get the nod, then I'd expect to see Mark toping and tailing the show next summer.

The one element of Channel 4 coverage I hope Sky Sports take with them is Simon Hughes. His replays in between the overs using the multiangles and slow mos, was fantastic and this should be kept.

(and no, I'm not Yozzers agent)

MediaGuardian are reporting the "Crown Jewels" list will be reviewed - but not till 2008, when all items on the list - including the Olympics, World Cup and Wimbledon, will be subject to a review ahead of the analogue switch-off.


Another point - yesterday during the BBC's parade coverage they were talking about football and cricket when John Inverdale said something like "Let's be realistic - Chelsea play Anderlecht in the first round of the Champions League tonight and more people will watch that than watched England lift the Ashes yesterday".


Well, the ratings are in:
Monday - Ashes climax: 7.4m viewers!
Tuesday - Champions League on ITV1: 3.7m viewers!

I would expect Five to get a highlights package from Sky. It makes no economic sense for them to get a different team of commentators in to do it.

John Inverdale should stick to World's Strongest Man, or somesuch.

As a younger person in the first category, i disagree. You seem to assume that only people with enough money to have Sky are cricket fans? I'm gutted I'll be missing the Tests, and I hope they return to C4 as soon as possible.

I'm afraid that's one subject where I simply can't agree with you.

It's possibly because I've been following the game for so long and, therefore, know a fair amount about it already, but I simply can't stand the way Mr Hughes seems to talk down to everyone.

He may well be good for those new to the game and wanting to learn, but he just gets up my nose to the point where I channel hop for a couple of minutes every time he pops up.

Well I think the whole emphasis of Channel 4's coverage was designed to bring new people to watch the game of Cricket, I personally think CH4 in this regard did a fine job off, obviously you can't beat Sky Sports though.

In my opinion, they did. Their commentary/punditry team beat Sky hands down imo.

Well Channel 4 did have better and more senior commentators, you can't get any better then Richie Benaud.