The British Culture Minister, however, denies that delisting Test cricket from terrestrial TV is a sop, reports Lucy WardTest matches played in England will be taken off the list of `Crown Jewels' sporting events protected for terrestrial television, it was confirmed, as the Culture Secretary, Chris Smith, denied that Downing Street had steered his decision to open the bidding to Rupert Murdoch's BSkyB. The decision to place the matches on a new B list of events, allowing subscription broadcasters to bid for exclusive coverage rights, is likely to see the BBC lose at least some of the Tests it has screened for more than 50 years.Culture Department sources were stressing that pressure to remove cricket from the list of events reserved for free-to-air television had come from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which is seeking freedom to bargain for higher rices for its events. The board says it needs increased income to invest in the game and attract younger players. In reality,while BSkyB may offer substantial sums for the right to screen Test matches, cricket is unlikely to wish to see all events transferred to pay-to-view television, since a reduction in viewing figures could jeopardise sponsorship deals.The ECB chairman, Lord MacLaurin, insisted that the intention was not simply to ``sell to the highest bidder'' but to balance ``the best deal for the development of cricket and the widest access for viewers''.Smith stressed his determination to ensure terrestrial broadcasters got good quality access to secondary coverage. The ECB was ``on trust'' to deliver its promises, he said, stressing that he reserved the right to reconsider if the board reneged on its commitment to see substantial coverage of Tests on terrestrial television. The BBC expressed disappointment at the non-listing of Test matches, but welcomed other moves to add new football and rugby events to the Crown Jewels list. Though the advisory committee led by Lord Gordon of Strathblane had recommended listingonly the football World Cup final and semi-finals, the whole finals tournament has been protected, together with the European Football Championship Finals, the Rugby League Challenge Cup final, and the Rugby World Cup final.The decision to de-list cricket, opening up the possibility that BSkyB or another cable or satellite broadcaster will cherry-pick the best matches, has prompted warnings from viewers' groups that the interests of viewers, particularly the elderly, are being sacrificed. Smith denied that Tony Blair had exerted pressure, influenced by a desire to please Murdoch. At a press conference with Lord Gordon, he said: ``The Prime Minister is involved in all decisions taken by the Government, and he has, of course, been involved in discussing the outcome of this, according to my recommendation. We reached a common conclusion.''The BBC said: ``We hope the cricket authorities will continue to see the benefit of the whole country and not just a few people having the chance to experience ourleading summer sport.'' Nick Hawkins, Tory deputy chairman of the all-party Sports Group of MPs and a cricketer for the Lord and Commons XIs, condemned the removal of Test cricket from the A-list as ``an utterly cynical act of appeasement.it is no coincidence that this decision to appease Murdoch follows two days of attacks by The Sun on Blair on other issues''.
