Rochdale MP Continues Campaign for Cricket Access

Date published: 13/09/2005

Following England’s Ashes victory, Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has said he is eager to continue his campaign to keep Test Cricket on Terrestrial TV.

Paul said, "Since I announced The Early Day Motion last week, I have been inundated with messages from cricket fans across the country, desperate that future Tests stay on Terrestrial TV. As a cricket fan I am determined that we do something now, if we don't I'm afraid the momentum built up over a glorious summer will be lost."
 
Paul has also paid tribute to the coverage on Channel 4 saying, "Cricket has never been as popular, that is in no small part to the innovative coverage of the team at Channel 4. Their coverage has helped raise the profile of cricket immensely  I would like to pay tribute to the channel who thoroughly deserve their record viewing figures.  I can assure every cricket fan that we will continue to campaign in Parliament for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to review Test Cricket's listed status and ensure that live cricket remains on Terrestrial TV for the foreseeable future."

Meanwhile the campaign to "keep cricket free" gathers apace and nearly 5,500 people have already registered their support on a website set up www.keepcricketfree.com

Paul Rowen said, "In Australia the Government have protected their home tests and we should do the same.  I am calling on the Sports Minister Richard Caborn MP to address this now, the ECB need to renegotiate the contract and ensure that cricket remains free!"