ICC POSTBAG

Are these letters representative of those who went, or have you got nothing but praise for the way the Rose Bowl hosted the games?

Let us know at echosport@soton-echo.co.uk

AS keen and regular cricket supporters, our tickets were purchased many months ago for the England v Sri Lanka ICC Champions Trophy at the Rose Bowl.

We were extremely fortunate to have friends who lived locally that were able to drop us off at the ground. The short journey to the Rose Bowl was absolute chaos with all routes jammed and local routes gridlocked.

During the morning play it was decided to purchase drinks from the bar. We queued for one hour. This was totally unacceptable, especially when we had received literature with our tickets about the rules on taking food and drink into the venue.

The same problem was experienced when purchasing food. Why was this happening?

The Rose Bowl were fully aware many weeks in advance of the capacity crowd and did nothing to address the problem.

The toilet facilities were inadequate and the portacabins were flooded.

We have visited many other large cricket grounds and our first visit to the Rose Bowl was a great disappointment.

It is a beautiful ground that Hampshire can be proud of and yet I am sure many patrons will not return.

I hope the Rose Bowl will learn from its mistakes and put plans into place to improve access to the site and overall facilities at the ground.

I am sure the Rose Bowl wants to succeed and become a key international cricket ground; to do this it must provide first class facilities for its patrons. If not, many cricket fans like ourselves will think twice about returning.

Mr & Mrs Canham, Stamford, Lincolnshire.

I WAS one of the 16,000 spectators at the Rose Bowl last week watching England v Sri Lanka.

Whilst the on-field entertainment was exciting, despite the rain, I cannot say the same for the off-field organisation.

The park and ride is a farce. Located on the eastern side of the M27, there were massive queues waiting for hours for the return journey. Why is there not another park and ride facility on the western side of the M27?

The bag search was ridiculous. Not only was there a shortage of staff, but what exactly where they searching for? According to Rod Bransgrove, the ICC had eased their 'non sponsor' refreshments.

The public address system was only 50 per cent effective. For those sitting in the upper tiers you could hear absolutely nothing.

The big screen had been removed on Saturday, so no action replays etc.

Comments by the England skipper suggest the pitch was not up to standard either.

There is a lot to do before Hampshire can seriously think about entertaining another international match.

James Metcalf, Chandler's Ford.

With the current high salaries and good 'follow on' career prospects, surely the time has come to draw a line under the awarding of testimonials (or benefit years) to our leading sportsmen.

Traditionally these were awarded to footballers or cricketers who barely earned more than the average working man and who gave a high level of commitment over a long period of time to their local club.

Usually they would be 'one-club ' men.

At the end of there sporting career there were few opportunities to develop another career. Under all of these circumstances, testimonials were appropriate.

Oh how things have changed.

As an example, I notice Hampshire have awarded Alan Mullally a benefit for 2005. This drives a 'cart and horses' through the traditional requirements of the benefit year.

To start with, he left this county many years ago to join Leicester where he spent the majority and best part of his career.

At the tail end of his career he re-joined Hampshire and has been with us for just four years - hardly loyal commitment. He is paid a good salary and of course this will be accompanied with all the usual benefits.

When he finishes playing he will no doubt take up one of the many opportunities that will present themselves. These may be in the media or coaching.

Alternatively he may re-join his old colleagues in one of the many jobs that Hampshire seem to find for their retirees.

'Big Al' may decide to follow Niall Quinn's magnificent gesture and donate the proceeds to charity.

Barry Rowe, Swanmore.