Gentleman’s Agreement Just Not Cricket

Responding to the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee Report into free-to-air cricket in England, Liberal Democrat Committee member Adrian Sanders MP said:

“The Report highlights two major failings by both the government and the ECB. Firstly, the Government should not have relied on a gentleman’s agreement between Lord Smith and Lord Maclaurin to secure terrestrial broadcasting rights to one of England’s best loved sports. I think that the Committee is absolutely right tot tell the government not to use such informal arrangements in the future.

“Secondly, the ECB should have had more faith in the England cricket team to succeed in the Ashes. A lack of confidence in the England team to inspire the nation and increase interest in the game resulted in a hasty agreement with Sky to end free to air cricket coverage.”

“Cricket was sold short by its governing body.”

Adrian Sanders fought for the inquiry to be held by the Committee back in September following the exciting climax of the Ashes series.