THE ASHES look set to return to free-to-air television after a review of sport's "listed events."
The recommendations on the "Crown Jewels" of British sport will be published tomorrow following an inquiry headed by David Davies, the former executive director of the Football Association.
His report is expected to advise the highlight of the cricketing calender as well as World Cup and European Championship qualifiers involving home nations to be listed events, as well as the Wimbledon tennis championship and golf's Open championship.
Tim Flack, Chairman of Chirk AAA Cricket Club echoed the sentiments of the England and Wales Cricket Board that the financial impact would be devastating for the sport, he said: "The money the ECB currently receives has helped the sport enormously.
"Sky's commentary team is a list of ex-England captains and is of very high quality, my fear is that terrestrial television may not be able to match that."
"The money Sky pump into cricket does filter down into grassroots level, and it is a worry that we could all suffer if that is taken away," he said.
"If they could match the money that is currently paid then fair enough, but i can't see it myself," he added.
Cricket chiefs fumed that the BBC has not bid for any packages of live English cricket since 1998.
In an attempt to ensure top major sporting events such as the Olympics remained free-to-air, Andy Burnham , former secretary of state for culture, media and sport ordered the review in December 2008.
"The broadcast of big sports events gets young people inspired by sport, driving sports participation and the creation of the next generation of sports stars," he said at the time.
"The sale of TV rights helps fund grassroots sport, so we need to get the balance right."
The Government have refused to comment ahead of tomorrow's publication.
An ECB spokesman said they had not seen the report, and added: "We have not been given the courtesy of being shown the report ahead of publication."
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