SINCE the inception of the two-tier county cricket championship, the trend to sign up ready-made overseas players, either full or part season, has accelerated.

Naturally, every county wants immediate success. But long term, how detrimental to our international side is this policy?

Only if more players who qualify to play for England are given a chance to prove their merit in first class cricket can we expect to maintain the excellent standard reached in this summer's Ashes series. Can there be a greater incentive?

MICHAEL ASHBY,

West Malvern.