3 SEPTEMBER 1983, Page 17

MCC members

Sir: It was a pity that Alan Gibson (6 August) should have spoiled his well- reasoned piece on South African cricket by taking side-swipes at MCC and its members.

The majority of MCC members are club cricketers, past and present, of reasonable standing, whose record as players would compare favourably with that of many commentators. It is difficult to see what social benefits arise from their membership.

It is pointless to argue that MCC should confine itself to being a private club. For a number of years past, except for its responsibility for the Laws, that is precisely what it has been and has done. Which was why Mrs Thatcher's public expression of opinion before the recent vote was so offensive, though I do not think it had much effect on the "result.

F. H. C. Tatham

27 Montaeute Road, Lewes, East Sussex