19 APRIL 1968, Page 31

Cricket trad and mod

Sir: Mr Badams (Letters, 5 April) lacks a sense of fairness and a sense of accuracy.

To state that Close bats like a five year old is to plumb the very depths of absurdity. Close has some of the finest shots in the game. When he is in form and well set, there is no more entertaining batsman in the country to watch.

There was nothing in the recent Test series to suggest that Cowdrey is a better captain than Close. Cowdrey's sole victory was l'inded to him on a plate by Sobers, while in the final Test, another ten minutes would have brought the defeat of England.

F. R. Cumberbirch The Bungalow, Harton Moor Road, Harrogate