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A decision on whether England’s home Ashes Test matches will be available on free-to-air television has been deferred until 2013.

Sports minister Hugh Robertson said a ruling on sport's listed events would be made after the digital switchover process ends in 2012.

An independent review recommended in November 2009 that more sports be added to the free-to-air ‘crown jewels’ list of protected events.

This week’s announcement, however, means that the current list, drawn up in 1998, remains in force for the foreseeable future.

"I fully support the principle of protecting major sports events for free-to-air coverage," added Robertson.

"But with digital switchover concluding in 2012, this will result in the widespread availability of a significantly increased number of television channels, many of which will be free to air.

"Add to this the BBC's strategy review, which will cover sports rights, and the Ofcom pay-TV review, and the broadcasting context for this decision is increasingly unclear."

"If we were to make a decision now, we'd almost certainly have to review after digital switchover," he added on BBC Radio Five Live."

Robertson noted that "the current economic climate also points to us not taking action which could adversely impact on sport, particularly at grassroots level".

The England and Wales Cricket Board has previously said that the loss of income from its deal with pay-TV operator Sky would have a “disastrous impact” on grassroots funding.

FA general secretary Alex Horne welcomed Robertson’s decision.

"We have always held the belief that, as a national governing body, we are best placed to determine how our broadcast rights should be sold, to ensure both fair commercial value and a continuing ability to invest in the grassroots of the game,” he said. "This decision gives us that opportunity at a critical time."

All England Lawn Tennis Club chief executive Ian Ritchie added: "As the rights holder, we were extremely concerned that the proposed changes to a system, which already works perfectly well, would have had a severe impact on our future funding.

"We welcome the minister's decision to maintain the status quo as being in the best interests of viewers, the public and the funding of tennis in the UK."