KENT MP and shadow Conservative sports minister Hugh Robertson has warned that grass roots cricket could lose out if the Government opts to ensure coverage of future Test match series is kept on terrestrial television.

The Faversham and Mid Kent MP said that while there was a strong case to review whether Test match cricket ought to be included among the protected sporting events, it could be at a price.

“There is a very strong case after this summer for including England and Ashes home tests in the so-called 'crown jewels.’ However, if we do that we have to recognise that the English Cricket Board (ECB) will get less money and that means there will be less money for development,” he said.

He stresssed that while he understood the frustration of fans, it would be wrong for the Government to interfere now a deal had been completed with Sky for the rights to the next Ashes series.

The broadcaster struck a £220million deal that will mean it keeps the rights for coverage until 2009.

The public interest in the current Ashes series has led to calls on ministers to step in and maintain coverage on terrestrial TV.

But Mr Roberston said: “The negotiation of broadcasting rights is a matter for sports governing bodies and broadcasters and not one in which we should interfere.

"Hindsight is a wonderful thing and had we known that cricket would have taken off in such a way this summer, the terrestrial TV companies might have put in a better bid. The ECB had no option but to accept the Sky bid and there is nothing that can be done about that now.”

But Kent Labour MP Derek Wyatt said the Government should intervene and renegotiate the contract. He accused it of failing to keep a commitment made by the former sports minister Chris Smith to protect cricket coverage.

“Chris Smith made a written response to a question in 1998 saying cricket would be on terrestrial TV and it seems to me that a promise was made and it should be honoured. You do not give commitments like that unless you mean them,” he said.

He rejected claims that grass roots cricket would lose out, arguing sponsors would be willing to pay more on the back of the popularity of the present series.