MP Ian Lucas has said he will press the government to list the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup for 2009 to ensure the game gets free-to-air coverage.

His move follows what he describes as the "disappointing" news this week that a deal for live matches to be shown on subscription broadcaster Sky television has been extended.

He said: "I am very disappointed that there will be no live cricket on free-to-air television. I would have liked for the live television rights to have been listed by the government.

"However, I remain very disappointed that there was not a bid by the BBC for even part of the live broadcasting rights. If the BBC can afford Formula One, it can afford to at least make a bid for the nation's primary summer sport."

Mr Lucas met earlier this year with director of BBC Sport, Roger Mosey, and the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Giles Clarke, to discuss cricket rights.

He added: "I am very sorry that no accommodation could be reached. Like many others, I started my love for the game by watching it on TV and we must reinstate cricket on free-to-air TV to attract young people to the game. To achieve this, I am now calling on the government to list the World Twenty20 cup – which would mean we would have at least the chance of some live cricket on terrestrial television.

"I would hope and expect that if the cup is listed, the BBC would bid for the rights to show it.

"Showing live cricket is vital in sparking an interest among young people in cricket and in securing the future of the sport in the UK."