SELBY MP John Grogan has lashed out at the Government's decision to allow cricket to be shown on cable and satellite TV.

The decision was released in a written statement on Thursday after consideration of the Gordon Committee Report which allows cable and satellite TV companies to bid against terrestrial TV companies for the right to screen all but a handful of World Cup finals matches and cricket test matches.

It reveals that football and rugby fans will be spared the costly process of installing satellite dishes or cable link-ups but those who like cricket may have to pay extra to watch it.

Mr Grogan is a cricket supporter himself and organised a meeting of football and cricket fans at the House of Commons in May to put pressure on the Government.

He said: "This decision will deeply disappoint many cricket fans.

"Half of Britain's pensioners tune into BBC Test Match Cricket coverage over the summer, many will not be able to afford to purchase satellite or cable TV."

And because of the high cost of paying for a licence for satellite TV in pubs and other public places it is unlikely that British pensioners will get the chance to watch the sport at their local.

The English Cricket Board has promised to keep some matches on terrestrial TV but Mr Grogan said he has a "deep mistrust" of the organisation which decided that the test match at Lords should be kept on terrestrial TV because it is a "society event".

He said: "Such an argument shows how out of touch they are.

"Why Lords - why not Headingley?"

"The fact of the matter is that they can now do what they want and once they have signed a new long-term contract no future Secretary of State will have the power to intervene."

The statement revealed that the football World Cup, European Football Championships and Rugby League Challenge Cup Final will all be kept on terrestrial TV.

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