This carbon production is just not cricket

WHILE football talks about the first carbon neutral game, cricket flaunts the environmental crisis and seems to be proud of using flares and other pyrotechnics to attract spectators.

The Hundred has played to packed grounds, with fireworks, a pop singer and a DJ and flares! Some might say the ECB (the governing body of cricket) is desperate to make money by introducing a third format of white ball cricket. They have thrown every gimmick at it – but do they not realise that the success is due to the cricket and players. Based on groups of five balls (not the traditional six-ball overs).

The flare generators burn propane and produce three times the weight of carbon dioxide as propane used. This is obscene. It is a contribution to bushfires in Australia, houses burning in California, floods devastating here and in mainland Europe. Cricket grounds won’t change unless they are pushed.

Robert Murray, by email