Empty seats at Lord’s

SIR – Ben Farmer, at Lord’s on Sunday for the Women’s World Cup Final (report, July 24), notes that there were “banks of empty seats in the pavilion”, implying that Marylebone Cricket Club members could have done more to support the women’s game.

The pavilion was largely empty because it’s only available to MCC members (not friends). They must wear a jacket and tie, be prepared to sit on hard iron benches and behave according to the idiotic MCC rules.

The stands on either side of the pavilion (with a better view) were packed with MCC members, their friends and children – all sitting comfortably, dressed comfortably, waving flags and able to behave like a normal sports crowd.

Richard Gordon

Edgware, Middlesex