Dust and Ashes
Sir: Few experienced observers would deny that the standard of 'first class' cricket (particularly Australian) has declined to a sorry level, and it was right to publish the great Frank Woolley's views on the subject.
I believe, however, that Simon Raven will one day wish he had not written the rest of his article, for, quite apart from his failure to appreciate Illingworth's monu- mental exercise in leadership and Lawry's courage under fire, he will have to explain how he came to miss (for instance) Edrich's Test record, Snow's fine bag and ex- ploitation of that broken wicket, and Underwood's access of flight to add to the already powerful armoury which had put him into the highest class of slow left- handers.
A shortage of first-class talent is no excuse for failure to recognise and salute what talent there is.
R. J. 0. Meyer The Warden, Millfield, Street, Somerset
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