A happy match

SIR – Were Simon Heffer to hold his nose and actually attend a limitedovers cricket match (Sport, June 8), he would discover that people do not go to them “largely to get drunk”, but because they are enjoyable family affairs for most cricket lovers, who are not free for days on end.

In any event, Mr Heffer should have noted the beneficial effects of the shorter versions on the four- and five-day game: fitter players, cannier bowling, innovative stroke play and, despite the improved fielding, higher scoring rates. Professor Chris Barton

Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire