SIR - So the new county cricket season is under way and I've already grown a little tired of the overstated success of last season.

Winning the least important trophy did not disguise the abject failure in all the other competitions.

Worcestershire's team director is already blaming the fully anticipated bad weather at Edgbaston for the failure to take the initiative to win the championship game against Warwickshire last week by declaring and giving the team time to get the opposition out.

As a supporter of some 50 years I suggest that some of the players, and the director and captain in particular, come home in the bus with the genuine cricket followers who have paid for the bus and ground entrance charges - as we did when we went to Bristol on Sunday to watch the defeat against Gloucestershire.

It was an uninspired performance by our beloved team who appeared demoralised already at this stage of the season.

It was even more noticeable when compared with Gloucestershire's vibrant, enthusiastic approach and the inspirational leadership they received.

The Worcestershire supporters on the bus home were not reticent in their views!

All of this after the remarkable efforts of everyone behind the scenes, especially the chief executive Mark Newton, to get New Road ready for today's championship game against Leicestershire after last year's disasters with the floods.

DAVID C TARPLETT, Malvern Wells