MAY I say how I enjoy your coverage of local league cricket? - as I have always done, going back to the days of Alf Thornton.

The "Captain's Log" column I find really thought-provoking - and it has certainly provoked me to write regarding the comments made by Todmorden's Richard Baigent (LET, July 24).

I think that the Inter-League Cup is a superb competition. It gives us a chance to see players we have not come across before. And, this season, I have attended two thrilling matches - Accrington's hard earned victory over Walsden, and Lowerhouse's unlucky defeat by Crompton.

I hope that this competition will be here to stay for, given fine weather, it is a winner.

Mr Baigent feels that too much cricket is being played, with a consequent loss of quality.

If that is the case why not introduce (or, in some cases, re-introduce) second XI players to first team cricket?

I feel that, in recent years, the standard of second XI cricket has improved tremendously. In an earlier "Captain's Log," Nelson's Duncan Spencer (LET, July 3), appeared to be a critic of the new bonus points system. He said that Church were annihilated by Colne when, in fact, they were only very narrowly beaten. In my opinion, they merited their seven bonus points.

After Nelson's defeat by Lowerhouse in an enthralling game, I think Duncan would have been relieved to earn five bonus points to keep his side in second place in the table. I hope the bonus points system will remain, for it is easy to understand and it encourages all teams to keep going. There cannot be much wrong with Lancashire League cricket when a side at the wrong end of the table can lose by only 15 runs to the league leaders . . . six points well earned, "Rammy."

Finally, I would like to mention two professionals, Martin Van Jaarsveld and Mark Bailey. These unassuming, highly-talented cricketers have worked wonders for their respective clubs, lifting the morale of their team-mates and of their supporters. Well done, both.

K MILLER, Holmby Street, Burnley.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.