19 AUGUST 1989, Page 21

Cricketing customs

Sir: Since The Spectator is so given over to cricket these days might I suggest that you press upon Mr Dexter that his first duty in rebuilding the England XI might be a gentle lesson in manners?

For, on two separate occasions recently, once at Worcester and once at Lord's, two different members of our recent side now both happily South Africa bound, told youngsters who asked them for their auto- graphs to 'piss off!'

Nicholas Birch

139 Herkomer Road, Bushey, Watford, Hertfordshire