Ireland, cricket and television

Sir, – Congratulations to all involved in Irish cricket in getting test-match status for the Ireland team ("Irish cricket's long wait for test status is over", Sport, June 22nd).

Dare we hope that one of the country’s broadcasting organisations now puts in a bid to transmit home matches free-to-air? It is widely thought that the absence of England’s cricket matches from UK television since 2005 has contributed to the decline in popularity of cricket in that country.

If cricket were to be shown on TV here, it would surely lead to more people taking up the “greatest game” and thereby enhance the chances of Ireland producing a world-class team. – Yours, etc,

CHARLES FOSTER,

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Dublin 12.