I PITY the players, members and supporters of South Wilts Cricket Club. Their insistence on an archaic rule in order to gain an unsporting advantage (‘History? No, it’s still cricket’ May 21) in their game against Lymington will cast a pall over their reputation for a long time.

Cricket should be played to win, but not at any price and those who forget to play it in the right spirit inevitably end up playing it unhappily – all keen young players, please take note.

South Wilts Cricket Club may go on to win many games this season but they have already lost something far more important, their self respect.

REV PHILIP MARTIN Alderholt