Emma John’s perceptive analysis of cricket in Australia is spot-on (England ruthlessly privatised cricket – Australia embraces it with constant public displays of affection, 9 January). I have been visiting Australia for many years – our son and his family live in Sydney. The locals, on hearing my accent, mostly respond by saying “Sorry about the cricket, mate.” It’s not in a gloating or superior way, but in a genuine sense of puzzlement at how when we have often promised a real contest we perform like a malfunctioning firework.
As Emma observes, in Australia cricket is a national obsession and accessible to all, either to watch or to play. In England it has become elitist, with free-to-air TV coverage long gone, the cost of going to a game increasingly prohibitive and the county game’s importance as a place to learn having been eroded. In spite of a loyal and well-heeled bunch of supporters, epitomised by the Barmy Army, it has become a minority sport, and the poorer for it.
Until cricket is opened up to all, our national team will continue to struggle; one day we may really be marking the death of English cricket.
Chris Smith
Exeter
• Emma John’s analysis of how cricket is cherished in Australia while it withers on the vine here reflects a wider trend. I visited India in 2014, and every patch of wasteland was hosting a pickup game of cricket, with the outfield packed with 50-plus participants. In eight years of walking my dogs around my local park here in Manchester, the artificial cricket strip has been used fewer than four times a summer, while the football pitches are in constant use by boys and girls. Cricket in England is dying as a participation sport.
Richard Houghton
Manchester
• Emma John’s enlightening article reflects well on Australian cricket from an outsider’s perspective, and is respectful. How many times did we hear “worst Aussie team ever” and “England 5-0” before the Test series? So many times England and their fans swagger into this country and carry on in a disrespectful manner. And who will forget the behaviour in the Long Room at Lord’s in 2023? There was no better feeling than sending them packing.
Simon Cavenagh
Sydney, Australia
• What a lovely article. Having immigrated from England 44 years ago, the cricket has been a constant delight. Summer would not be complete without it and yes, it is as present as the beach, or surfing, or barbecues. I love the vision of a late summer afternoon, golden light, long shadows and an Australian batsman striding into the middle at the SCG. It feels like home. Long may it continue.
Anthony Wood
Sydney, Australia
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