Shut your eyes and think of England.

[Making_Splinters]

While Cook going does strengthen the team, it will no doubt be used as an excuse for poor performance, "Well you wanted rid of him, you got it, we lost. See Daddy does know better".

[Aidan11]

When England car crash in the WC, you can bet your bottom dollar that Downton will feel vindicated in his desire to have wanted Cook retained.

He can't really lose, can he.

I was thinking the same. I can't see England doing anything here whoever is in charge.

[Arthur Crabtree]

When I saw the headline about Strauss complaining the ECB had disrespected Cook, I was prepared to be annoyed by the entitlement by which Strauss expects special treatment for his fellow officer, when everyone else can go to hell. And I still feel like that a bit. But he's also right. The public sacking of Cook by leak is another smear on the reputation of the ECB. Though maybe Strauss could have complained about this kind of MO when he was England captain, when employed much more egregiously against his teammates..

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/d ... -pietersen

[budgetmeansbudget]

Bugger off Pietersen, you were never going to play for England again before your book came out, now you've got less than no chance. Nice bit of stirring Hayden!

[Alviro Patterson]

KP is absolutely deluded thinking he can get into England's World Cup squad without playing any meaningful cricket since The Ashes. Rather than get runs under his belt in County Cricket like any other omitted England player does, he puts Twenty20 as a top list of priorities.

Seem to remember some Australian player expressing their surprise for England not selecting Steve Harmison for an Ashes series, so Hayden's comments are hardly surprising.

[KipperJohn]

While Cook going does strengthen the team, it will no doubt be used as an excuse for poor performance, "Well you wanted rid of him, you got it, we lost. See Daddy does know better".

Not going to happen - not in public anyway. Any attempt by Downton to discredit the selectors will bring the whole pack of cards crashing down. He's already pushed his luck by being present on Friday.

The Ashes was a shambles - the aftermath, both at management and playing level, not much different. The only positive I can see is the reasonably successful introduction of some new blood into the various England squads - and not all of them will succeed of course. However, some of that has been by default.

When the performance of any organisation goes belly-up there is inevitably a period of turmoil, infighting, boardroom battles based as much on self-preservation as any attempt to turn things around. The banks have been a classic example - I see no reason to view the goings on at the ECB as much different.

I see Downton's appointment as the ECB trying to place a strong hand on the tiller - the issue for me is was it the right hand? His appointment was probably the most key decision the ECB made after the Ashes. Everything afterwards stemmed from that.

The World Cup selection (not the tournament itself) is really a side issue to the bigger picture of the way English cricket is run and managed - I wouldn't put any money on which way it will go.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Interfering in the future of Pietersen (I'd guess at Flower's behest) will be his undoing. Really, he should have left this selection issue to the new coach. And he shouldn't have prioritised finding an English coach. And... I can't imagine he will be around much longer.

[Making_Splinters]

While Cook going does strengthen the team, it will no doubt be used as an excuse for poor performance, "Well you wanted rid of him, you got it, we lost. See Daddy does know better".

Not going to happen - not in public anyway. Any attempt by Downton to discredit the selectors will bring the whole pack of cards crashing down. He's already pushed his luck by being present on Friday.

The Ashes was a shambles - the aftermath, both at management and playing level, not much different. The only positive I can see is the reasonably successful introduction of some new blood into the various England squads - and not all of them will succeed of course. However, some of that has been by default.

When the performance of any organisation goes belly-up there is inevitably a period of turmoil, infighting, boardroom battles based as much on self-preservation as any attempt to turn things around. The banks have been a classic example - I see no reason to view the goings on at the ECB as much different.

I see Downton's appointment as the ECB trying to place a strong hand on the tiller - the issue for me is was it the right hand? His appointment was probably the most key decision the ECB made after the Ashes. Everything afterwards stemmed from that.

The World Cup selection (not the tournament itself) is really a side issue to the bigger picture of the way English cricket is run and managed - I wouldn't put any money on which way it will go.

Given the black eye Downton was given by the dropping of Cook, I'd imagine he'll find it very difficult not to have a gloat.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Sky have extended their contract to 2019. If change is on its way, it isn't happening yet.

[Aidan11]

This wont help the falling numbers of people getting into cricket.

[Dr Cricket]

Actually it proves they want FTA coverage and makes it even more likely in my opinion.
two good post on the rights deal by someone that generally knows is stuff on sports rights and actually has links to people that work for tv companies.
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showpost ... stcount=35
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showpost ... stcount=39

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/con ... 18487.html
and george dobell article saying his sources saying domestic highlights will be FTA from this year.

Sky haven't really sign a deal today since they haven't agreed to anything new.

[Arthur Crabtree]

A possible highlights package (which would be very limited) would be an add on, not a change in direction in the accessibility of the England side, or even the domestic game much. I've seen this proposal. It doesn't suggest a change of heart at the ECB. Or much of a commitment to free to air. And hasn't happened yet. The extension of the Sky deal (which I imagine was made available to them as part of the original contract) just shows the ECB wanting to continue along its present path.

[Dr Cricket]

A possible highlights package (which would be very limited) would be an add on, not a change in direction in the accessibility of the England side, or even the domestic game much. I've seen this proposal. It doesn't suggest a change of heart at the ECB. Or much of a commitment to free to air. And hasn't happened yet. The extension of the Sky deal (which I imagine was made available to them as part of the original contract) just shows the ECB wanting to continue along its present path.

ECB had no choice it was Sky decision not ECB for the 2018/19.

ECB probably said no to far more money which is unheard of from them.
They probably rejected Sky proposal for more money or what ever they offered to ECB.
the last time someone rejected Sky money/proposal Sky never made the same deal again, IE the rugby league World cup in 2013.

IF ECB did reject Sky proposal it show clear sign they want some FTA coverage and that BT/Sky bidding war for pay rights is pretty much guaranteed.

they probably want this for the next time the TV rights actually go to tender.

FTA- Highlights of domestic T20 and all international home games, plus the 2-3 live T20 international games each year.
Pay tv- Exclusive coverage of all ODI/Test cricket in england + Domestic cricket

not sure ECB can split Domestic cricket/international cricket between BT Sports and Sky like CA do with 9 and 10.

This would mean ECB are not dependent on pay since they should get more sponsors, some FTA coverage and the bidding war should mean they getting more or similar amount for the tv rights but not dependent on one provider for the money.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricke ... reins.html

quote from the new chairman.

Ninety per cent of the ECB income relies on one source, its broadcast deal with Sky, and it is felt that has to change

there only one realistic way of doing that and that involves some FTA coverage and what I said above but BT is crucial here since Sky/BT need to pay double/treble the rights which allows ECB to provide some FTA coverage that should increase sponsors.
Basically do what Formula 1 does in this country and other key markets around the world.

I be totally surprised if the next deal is an exclusive rights deal.

[Arthur Crabtree]

We need live cricket on fta. Fair enough, I accept this wasn't up for grabs today. Though the news remains disappointing, as a confirmation of what we already have extending to 2019, including the WC.

[Dr Cricket]

not sure Test cric/odi is possible only live T20 games possible but even then only a small amount since ECB will never get a good deal with FTA so it could only do a PDC Darts type deal where Sky/BT show most and the best games/formats with FTA showing small amount of tournaments/games which mostly sky/BT are happy to sacrifice because of the high cost and they have no choice.