Test cricket’s welcome return to Channel 4 for Joe Root landmark match – The Yorkshire Post says

TOMORROW’S first Test between India and England will be a defining one for Joe Root before the first ball is even bowled in Chennai – the Yorkshire batsman is joining the elite club of cricketers to be capped 100 times at this time.
Joe Root will reach the milestone of his 100th Test against India in the early hours of tomorrow.Joe Root will reach the milestone of his 100th Test against India in the early hours of tomorrow.
Joe Root will reach the milestone of his 100th Test against India in the early hours of tomorrow.

Yet, while it’s to be hoped, even expected, that Root marks this occasion by maintaining the blistering form that he showed in Sri Lanka, this match also marks the return of live Test cricket to terrestrial television for the first time since 2005 after Channel 4 secured the broadcast rights.

And the significance of this, particularly in the midst of the latest lockdown, should not be under-estimated – live sport on free to air TV has offered great comfort, and enjoyment, to people of all ages who have been denied the simple pleasures of life by the pandemic.

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Already reflected in the viewing figures, it is to be hoped that sport’s wider societal role, particularly at times like this, is recognised in future contracts.

Live test cricket has not been on terrestrial television since Michael Vaughan's England side won the Ashes in 2005.Live test cricket has not been on terrestrial television since Michael Vaughan's England side won the Ashes in 2005.
Live test cricket has not been on terrestrial television since Michael Vaughan's England side won the Ashes in 2005.

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