Sports Letters: Fillips from the foreign legion

Sir: You are correct in your assertion that foreign p1ayers can only bring benefits to cricket and football ('Foreign players and the 'ooh aah' factor' 17 August). For the TCCB and Gordon Taylor, foreigners are an excuse. They are an excuse for the dull and bureaucratic management of sports in this country. They are an excuse for dismal failure. Is Gordon Taylor suggesting that simply by keeping out foreigners young British talent will flower and win the next World Cup? Is the TCCB suggesting that by sending home Brian Lara England's batting will no longer collapse? What we need is vision and leadership from our sports administrators, not pathetic xenophobia.

ANDREW POWER

London N17

17 August