07 Aug 2019
MPs to press cricket chiefs over World Cup legacy plans
BY Tom Walker
Members of Parliament will quiz cricket chiefs over their plans to capitalise on England's recent World Cup triumph.
England secured its first-ever World Cup win in July – a tournament which it hosted – and the success has increased the profile of the sport across media and the public consciousness.
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chair Colin Graves and CEO Tom Harrison will face the DCMS Committee in Westminster on 23 October.
Chaired by Conservative Party MP Damian Collins, the committee will explore ways the triumph could be utilised to boost participation in the sport, as well as increase broadcasting rights and revenue.
The debate is expected to touch on whether more cricket should be made available to free-to-air broadcasters.
The England team's games – both Test matches and one-day internationals – have been broadcast exclusively on pay-TV since 2005. The decision has dramatically reduced the TV audience for cricket, but has also enabled the ECB to receive – and invest – large sums throughout the game.
The only exception to that was England's win over New Zealand in this year's World Cup, after Sky Sports agreed the historic game to be shown live on Channel 4.
“One of the things we want to explore is whether more free-to-air cricket will inspire more people to play and go to watch the sport," Collins said.
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