Letter: Is this cricket?

Sir: The results of the games played over the last few days confirm that the cricket "class system" is on its way out. The victories of Zimbabwe over South Africa and, even more improbably, of Bangladesh over the mighty Pakistanis have been the most refreshing results we have seen since Sri Lanka beat England at the Oval last year.

For too long there has been a three-tier system in test cricket: first the "old" test nations, England, Australia and the West Indies; then the newer - India, Pakistan and New Zealand; and then the low-status group of Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and all the associate members.

The first group have always played five-test series, offered the second group three-test series and made the third-class segment beg for the odd test match.

It really is time something was done about the way the international schedule is drawn up.

SACHI NANDAN MUKHERJEE

University of York