The Hundred is a great cricket competition – but there is one thing that irks me

Ed Cumming’s article sums up my attitude to The Hundred exactly.

I bought tickets some time ago thinking I must watch some cricket and I needed to see a few games to stand firm on my criticism. The game that changed everything for me was when Trent Rockets beat Northern Superchargers. With five to win, Willey to Hales and then the ball was soaring over my head to the back of the stand I was in. What a climax to a game that fluctuated so much.

However, one aspect of The Hundred which is so unnecessary is the flares and pyrotechnics, illustrated by the photo accompanying the article. These flares are set off at every opportunity.

We are all urged to do our bit for the environment and this is a flagrant demonstration of what not to do. Shape up ECB and ban the use of flares from all cricket grounds. The Hundred is a success because of the cricket and the flares are one of the accessories that can go!

Robert Murray

Nottingham

I read John Rentoul’s column with interest. Boris Johnson needs a political fillip to boost his plunging ratings. But he won’t get that in his crass insensitive comments about how Margaret Thatcher got ahead of the climate change curve, by closing the mines. These communities must be furious at this lack of empathy, just for a cheap laugh.

You would think he would be making political hay with the outstanding success of Team GB in the Olympics but somehow he is found wanting and struggling to rise to the once dizzy heights that led him to his current position.

Judith A Daniels

Great Yarmouth

Credit for closing coal mines has to be shared.

Harold Wilson closed 253 pits, more than twice as many as Margaret Thatcher (115) who was only just ahead of Clement Attlee (101).

John Doherty

Stratford-upon-Avon

While I would be happy to echo much of what Chris Stevenson says of the Olympic Games, there are features that have seriously spoilt my enjoyment.

While enthusiasm is one thing, the screeching of some commentators is beyond toleration. But the real blight has been the mind-numbingly banal post-event interviews.

Athletes appear programmed to makes what are essentially Oscar acceptance speeches and turn the whole thing into tawdry reality TV.

Anthony Ingleton

Sheffield

Linda Evans’s letter on Thursday displays a worrying attitude. Teenagers of nearly adult age and potentially of voting age, able to engage in "parenting" of their own, should not be dictated to by parents.

Stroppy adolescents may well be a colloquial term, but it is not appropriate to a teenager who decides they wish to have a vaccine. On the contrary, a stroppy adolescent is more likely to decline one, whatever the parent or guardian wishes.

Any sensible adolescent wishing to have a vaccine is also likely to know whether that is a controversial decision in their family and will probably keep shtum. Of course, a stroppy adolescent may well declare the fact to make their point about independence and freedom.

That is their choice and should be respected while hoping for quiet acceptance on the part of any sensible adult.

Michael Mann

Shrewsbury