Poor viewing experience

Seatoun backyard’’ – Nisby; ‘‘not in Lyall Bay backyard’’ – Nilby; and a ‘‘not in Kilbirnie backyard’’ – Nikby.

If the council makes the Inglis St development non-notified Iwant a rates decrease for the hazard they place on me. Scott Barker, Seatoun

No-one likes going out to a ‘‘Mankad’’, ie being stumped at the bowler’s end, as it is seen as unsportsmanlike. You just don’t do it to your fellow participants. Yet Cricket NZ has done just that with its decision to move broadcasts away from Sky to Spark Sport.

I did reluctantly sign up to Spark Sport on the eve of the first cricket test. But I bet I amthe minority, as this is a highly discretionary spend. With a lowdefinition streaming signal and an erratic connection, it was not a good viewing experience.

My old transistor, which follows me around the house in the weekends, struggles to stay on the new station and the resulting reception is terrible. ‘‘Just download the app,’’ they advertise. Sorry, my battered and paint-splattered transistor radio does not do apps!

The final strawwas whenmy local CBD sports bar told me theywould not be making the investment. The bar manager said another ‘‘pay to view’’ subscription was a cost they simply could not afford.

I feel like I have been run out by a Mankad decision, where the bowler (in this case Cricket NZ) simply disregarded the wider public voice. It just was not playing in the spirit of the game.

I just hope that, as they sit back after the game reflecting on their success, they see the bigger picture. That the loyal cricket supporters have options as well. After all there are plenty of other things to do on a sunny afternoon.

David Allen, Khandallah