Letter: Bowled out

Sir: My children received basic cricket coaching at primary school this term and rather enjoyed the game. They asked for a mini-cricket set, to continue playing at home and in the park. Easy, I thought - but it isn't. The so-called sports shops in the neighbourhood, department stores, even Lillywhites, have drawn a blank.

If it was a softball or baseball set I wanted, or a basketball hoop, or anything to do with soccer, there would be plenty of choice, but there is no junior cricket set of the kind that fostered my interest in the game to be found anywhere. Is it any wonder that spectator interest in cricket is falling, and that youngsters aren't taking up the game?

DAVID LANE

London N20