Sports Letter: Punishment enough

Sir: The average cricket follower does not really care what Mike Atherton did. Indeed, I am sure many laud him for it. After all, he was only trying to win, as were Pakistan two years ago. Atherton was only caught doing what we now believe is rife around the world. Most people know this and hence do not really care what Agnew et al think. Cricket is a game and its players should not be treated like politicians with responsibilities to the people. Until the England captain is elected by the country, I see no reason to treat him as if he were.

To my mind, guilty or not, Mike Atherton has been punished more than sufficiently. Leave him be and he may yet turn England into winners. The media will not.

Yours faithfully

ANDREW Q DAVIES

London SW2

28 July