England cricket legend Mike Gatting says his sport has coped well with the media explosion of sporting rival football over the last 20 years.
The former England captain and batsman has watched from afar as the Premier League was introduced in the 1990's and saw the league surpass Italy and Spain as the world's No1 competition.
But he insists English cricket has stayed competitive in the battle for young talent.
Gatting told Simon Williams of tribalfootball.com: "I think cricket actually competed very well with football in the media through the '90's, especially during Ashes series.
"I also think with wages having improved and with central contracts in place for England players, the money young players can earn has certainly narrowed the gap between football and cricket from what it used to be."
Gatting's brother, Steve, played for Arsenal and Brighton and he is encouraged by how County clubs have managed to adjust to the new sporting and media landscape in England.
He can even see a day when a club owner buys both a football and cricket club for year-round commercial benefit.
"I think it is an interesting concept," says Gatting. "(But) I'm not sure how it would work apart from the owner having all year round coverage for his franchise or club."
Gatting, 53, is currently the ECB Managing Director of Cricket Partnerships.
