Gareth Snell Labour and Co-operative Candidate for Stoke-on-Trent Central
Now is the time to build mass participation in cricket – starting by guaranteeing free to air broadcasts. 📺
Well, where to start with yesterday dramatic final? I don’t think you necessarily needed to be a cricket fan to enjoy the nail biting tension of the final overs and eventual super over.
Of course whilst this was the men’s first triumph at a World Cup (our women’s team has four titles and are the current reigning champions)- it’s vital that not only does England and the governing body the ECB celebrate their deserved victory – but that cricket has to be the eventual winner.
For many of those watching the game on Channel 4 yesterday it would have been their first experience of watching England on free to air TV. Now there can be no doubt that the investment from SKY has played a large role in England’s improvement over the years – but mass audiences that can only be found on free to air TV are priceless.
Like those inspired by the 2005 Ashes and that incredible summer – this World Cup has the chance to inspire a generation of young people excited by cricket. It’s vital that boys and girls have access to the game at local clubs, school and at home watching the game without the need for an expensive subscription.
It’s time for the ECB to realise that mass access to the game is the only way to ensure this is the start of a rebirth of cricket in this country. If they don’t then it is only right that government step in to legislate to protect the legacy of inspired young boys and girls waking up this morning.