Sky's plan to silence critics

Sky is set to offer the country's 6,500 cricket clubs free dishes and reduced subscriptions in an effort to silence critics who say its exclusive television rights deal is bad for the game.

The broadcaster is also preparing to make the same offer to the 150,000 members of counties and some schools amid fears its £200million agreement for four seasons, which starts in 2006, could lead to a reduction in youngsters playing the sport.

County chiefs have defended their decision to sell live rights to Sky and the highlights to Five by claiming the England and Wales Cricket Board was offered £80m more than the tender put forward by Channel Four and Sky.