Television cricket
Sir: We have a great deal of television criticism but virtually no criticism of television (the basic principles on which in this country it is run and the minimum service it should provide). A big subject but perfectly epitomised in the abject abdication by Bac Television Outside Broadcasts from its manifest obligations towards the cricket- loving portion of licence holders The facts are that out of fifteen days of Test cricket so far only two have been televised Take away two days of elec- tioneering and this leaves viewers with eleven days short measure and the official pretexts put out from Lime Grove to pacify com- plainants (namely that plans were upset when the South African tour was cancelled and equipment heavily committed elsewhere) simnlv will not do.
In the first place the BBC, assuming the necessary good will, would have made a special effort to compensate the cricket public for the earlier consequences of political intrusion. The keenness and good will were natently lacking. They iust sat back and said in effect : 'Our original c-heme has been kncrked on the head so let Radio 3 and Test Match Snecial get on with it.' Had there been any good will we would have had each evening a half-hour summary programme on the lines of Wimbledon's Match of the Day series, the material provided by the camera in attendance to feed the news bulletins. As for the alleged over-stretching of available equipment, how was it that during the rele- vant periods BBC Tv cameras were able to cover both John Player Sunday crieket and also two Gillette Cup matches? It is thus absolutely indisputable. I submit. that BBC Television's ardour to serve the cricket public has this season been culpably lukewarm and for once anc cormoarency should be subject to proper investigation.
11,- oar's cri-ket Patrons have a right to at least 50 ner cent of the service lavished on its fo-thall ditto.
Tnridentally when the ant- talks of its equir.ment being overs.retched what in the world is wrong with using ITV eauinment? The fact that this is ao*nmaticallv ruled out demonstrates what kind of a madhouse we live in as soon as any television problem or proposition arises.
G. Reichardt 12a Mount Pleasant Road. Pcole
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