England's last Ashes win on home soil was televised live on Sky

A decision on whether Ashes cricket returns to free-to-air television as one of British sport's "crown jewels" will be taken before 3 June.

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw will make the call before the next election.

He has provisionally accepted the recommendations of an inquiry into TV sport led by ex-Football Association executive director David Davies.

The consultation process finishes in early March, while the latest a general election can take place is 3 June.

The inquiry recommended adding the home Test 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.

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Flat racing's showpiece, the Epsom Derby, and rugby league's Challenge Cup final are recommended for removal, along with the Winter Olympics.

The proposals have caused concern to some governing bodies, in particular the England and Wales Cricket Board, which has warned the loss of revenue from the sale of broadcasting rights to prestigious events could have a severe impact on grassroots funding.

During a debate in Parliament's Westminster Hall, junior minister Sion 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.

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? John Grogan, Labour

"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. It's a tight timetable to do a proper job but that's clearly his intention."

Labour's John Grogan, a long-standing campaigner for wider access to televised sport, 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? You can't have it both ways," stated Grogan.

"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?"

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