Sports Letters: Name droppers

Sir: All followers of Test cricket must be thankful for the expert knowledge, clear explanations and kindness of Brian Johnston - rarely, if ever, does he make harsh judgments of players' failures. He will be remembered for these things long after ceasing to be a commentator. There is one thing about Mr Johnston's style however which, regrettably, some of the others are beginning to adopt; I refer to the tediously compulsive passe use of nicknames. Am I the only listener who is heartily sick of 'Aggers', 'Bearders' and the like?

Yours sincerely,

ERIC STOCKTON

Sanday, Orkney

7 June