Scottish first minister wants TV coverage of ODI

Alex Salmond, the Scottish first minister, has urged the BBC to reconsider its decision not to cover the first-ever ODI between Scotland and England at the Grange in August.

Salmond is a cricket fan and believes that the BBC does not do enough to cover sport outside major events such as rugby's Six Nations Championships, football's European Championships and Wimbledon. He said it was "hugely disappointing" that the BBC had chosen to snub the historic cricketing contest in Scotland on August 18, which is likely to feature stars such as Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and possibly Andrew Flintoff.

It is, according to the Cricket Scotland chief executive, Roddy Smith "the biggest match we have ever staged" and is expected to draw a capacity crowd of 6000.

Salmond will be there in person, but intends to raise the matter at Holyrood this week and has the support of Margo MacDonald, the chairperson of the parliament's Cross-Party Sports group.

"This is an important sporting event in Scotland and television and radio should be rising to the occasion," said Salmond. "It would be hugely disappointing if it came and went without being broadcast and it should certainly be shown, given the widespread and growing interest in the game throughout Scotland."

MacDonald, who is the honorary patron of Edinburgh CC has already written to the BBC to express her dismay at the decision. Cricinfo has a copy of her letter, which spells out her belief that BBC Scotland should stop obsessing over football and provide a better service to licence payers.

"Whilst appreciating the massive commitment to the Olympic Games, I still think that BBC Scotland has a duty to cover important sporting events in their own country," said MacDonald. "This cricket match, I believe, could act as an effective catalyst in persuading youngsters in particular to engage in a sport in which Scotland is growing its own heroes and role models.

"It seems strange, to say the least, that the BBC should not deem this one-day event worthy of coverage. This is a historic, ground-breaking occasion, and I intend to fight this decision."

The BBC has been widely criticised for its failure to cover the recent Scotland rugby tour of Argentina, where they beat the Pumas for the first time since 1990. Salmond and MacDonald have no intention of allowing the Corporation to show a similar lack of interest in the cricket.