CRICKET AND THE SPORTING LISTED EVENTS REVIEW

That this House is concerned that the 2009 Ashes series will be the first home Ashes series not to be available live on free-to-air television for the entire nation to enjoy; notes that cricket is the only major sport to have no live coverage on free-to-air television; further notes that the Ashes series will be live in Australia on free-to-air channel SBS because it is protected both home and away by anti-siphoning legislation; believes that, particularly to inspire the young to take up the game, some live cricket should go on the A List of events which must be made available to free-to-air broadcasters such as the BBC and Channel 4 at a fair and reasonable price; and further believes that this should include the home Ashes series and at least part of the Cricket World Cup and Twenty20 World Cup.