Sports Letters: The lure of success

Sir: Glenn Moore (The Independent, 25 June) expresses dismay that a promising young cricketer, Russell Cake, does not have aspirations of playing cricket for England and would decline such an invitation. I find his attitude admirable. Would anyone in their right mind wish to throw away a promising career with such a shower of no-hopers? Whatever the reasons for England's poor showing they cannot expect to draw talent to their ranks; aspiring professionals seek success and therefore to entice the talented, one must be successful. Frankly, I follow the All Blacks' ethos. 'Better to have never been an All Black than to have been a bad All Black'.

Yours sincerely,

MARTIN KING

Macclesfield