Return of Ashes on free-to-air television

It comes after pressure was stepped up on the Government to accept the recommendations of an inquiry into TV sport amid pressure from the cricketing authorities concerned the move will cost them millions of pounds.

The England and Wales Cricket Board, which uses the proceeds from its current lucrative deal with Sky Sports to fund grassroots cricket as well as supporting the professional game, has already complained about the proposal to add home Ashes tests to the list of sporting "crown jewels" reserved for free-to-air TV.

This week one of its Board members, Lord Morris of Handsworth, questioned whether the Davies Report had considered "the economic consequences of its recommendation".

Junior culture Minister Sion Simon yesterday said the Government would "consider the implications" of changing the register of listed events on sporting bodies but Ministers have already provisionally accepted the findings and are thought unlikely to perform a U-turn now.

Pressing Mr Simon in parliament yesterday, Selby MP John Grogan said governing bodies should accept that if they receive public money then their major events should be shown for free.

"If the governing bodies believe in an entirely free market approach, why are they receiving public money?" he said. "You can't have it both ways.

"If hard-pressed taxpayers and lottery players are funding the sports, should they not be able to see some of the events on free-to-air TV?"

The inquiry into TV sport was led by David Davies, the former executive director of the Football Association, and recommended adding the home Ashes series against Australia, England's football tournament qualifying matches, golf's Open Championship, Wimbledon and the Rugby World Cup to the list of protected events.

Mr Simon said: "The Secretary of State has provisionally concluded to accept the recommendations in the report but he is going to consider the implications on sporting bodies and grassroots sport and he has not reached any final views."

Pressed on the timing of the decision, he added: "The Secretary of State firmly intends to make an announcement on this before the election even though the consultation process doesn't close until the first week of March."

The Davies report has angered rugby league enthusiasts by proposing removing the Challenge Cup final from the protected events, meaning it could be snapped up by a satellite broadcaster and shown only to those who pay.

Lord Hoyle, president of the Warrington Wolves super league club, led complaints in the House of Lord this week urging Ministers to ensure the final remains "a spectacle that is enjoyed equally by people in the north and the south".