Sports letter: Victory over prejudice

From Mr N Kerner

Sir: Those who laud the importance of the three-day game and Test cricket usually understate and underplay the importance of the one-day game. The World Cup proved beyond doubt that the short duration game fizzes with excitement and skill.

It showed cricketing prowess at the highest level and revealed that the one-day game is the most demanding for all aspects of cricket. Most important of all, it provides a greater test than the long duration versions.

Cricket instinct defines cricketing skills, and the time demands made by the short duration game test this instinct more thoroughly than the games of longer duration. Mistakes are less recoverable, and decisions and choices in the heat of the situation, more crucial.

By winning, the Sri Lankans have hit at the root of cricketing prejudice and ignorance.

Yours

NIGEL KERNER

Northamptonshire