Bishop of Leeds confesses he prefers curling to cricket and has never been to Headingley Stadium
The Bishop of Leeds has said he would rather go curling than watch cricket - despite living close to Headingley Stadium.
The Rt Rev Nick Baines, whose home is in Headingley, made the “confession” as peers continued their line-by-line scrutiny of the Media Bill.
The legislation aims to update broadcasting laws for the streaming age. As part of the reforms, there were calls in the House of Lords for moves to ensure the availability of cricket coverage on free-to-air TV.
Speaking in Parliament, the bishop pointed out the broadcasting of sports could help raise awareness and bolster participation among the young.
He said: “Was it not curling, whatever that is, which became very popular and captured the imagination? Most of us could not believe that there was a sport where you push something along in that way.
“There is a serious point about how children and young people know what sports are there.”
The cleric added: “I really need to make a confession. I live in Headingley – I have never been.
“Cricket is one of those sports that I suppose some people like. I have never understood it, but I would rather go to curling.”
In response, Labour frontbencher Lord Bassam of Brighton joked: “He must be an expert with a broom.”
Sports minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said: “The House was stunned into silence by the revelation.”
Earlier, Lord Bassam had expressed his support for some cricket matches to join the “crown jewels” of listed sporting events that must be offered to free-to-air broadcasters, and so remain available to the biggest audiences.
The devoted fan said: “Cricket misses out in terms of coverage, and that is surely the minimum that we should expect for this much underrated summer game.
“Test and one-day format cricket have the ability to capture the national mood and imagination, and the nature and rhythm of cricket, with its rolling narrative, is surely worthy of a more advanced listed billing.
“I have never understood why Test matches are not listed. The Ashes series, with its long national rivalry involving Australia, certainly should be.”
Liberal Democrat Lord Addington said: “Cricket is a major sporting event in this country. When the cricket team does well, the whole country has a lift.