By Paul Jenkins: Staffordshire cricket chiefs have written to local MPs to express fears at the threat to continued investment in the county game.

The Government is looking into sporting events which are listed as free-to-view.

It’s estimated that this could mean a £100m loss of income to cricket in England and Wales during a four-year period.

Currently the English Cricket Board get a large part of its funding from television rights, mainly from Sky.  If events such as The Ashes are transferred to free-to-view TV, the ECB stand to lose millions in broadcasting rights.

Gerald Williams, Chairman of the Staffordshire Cricket Board, said: “During the 12 months to September 2008, Staffordshire cricket saw continued increases in key areas of improvement for its 55 focus clubs; participation in the game of cricket increased by 5%; the number clubs achieving Clubmark accreditation increased by 8%, club membership went up by 13% and volunteer roles increased by 19%.”

Local clubs fear the proposed reduction in funding will stop the development of cricket in the area.

David Collier, English Cricket Board Chief Executive, said: “We are extremely concerned that should the Government choose to accept the recommendations in the Davies review, which concerns the free-to-view status of different sporting events, the entire structure of the game in this country could be undermined.”

The Davies review team is considering removing  the Winter Olympics and Rugby Union’s Six Nations from the ring-fenced free-to-view list, making them available to pay-per-view bidders.