Letter: Poor image to present

Sir: Recently you reported the wish of the Prime Minister to see cricket restored to its rightful place in the school games curriculum. Now you report, with little real condemnation, behaviour and tactics by Michael Atherton's side that are more appropriate to war than to sport.

And why have successive England captains so lost all self-respect that they appear before the world scruffy and unshaven? Is this part of the aggressive spirit that is designed to strike fear in the hearts of the enemy? Does it contribute to enhanced performance with bat or ball ? Then how did the truly great - Bradman, Compton, May, Boycott and many others - achieve so much without sacrificing pride in their appearance?

What an example Atherton and his fellow-players are setting to the young, and how much they are giving to those who do not believe cricket has a contribution to make to the education of the young! Yours, ROBERT PARRY Malvern, Worcs