Testing times to continue until cricket digs deep

I agree with columnists Peter FitzSimons (“Cummins on the front foot, Khawaja caught out of his crease”, November 14) and Greg Baum’s call (“Enough white lies: It’s time for sandpaper’s truth commission”, The Sun-Herald, November 15) for Cricket Australia to reopen its investigation into the 2018 ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. Each argues this should not be trial by media – which is occurring now. Khawaja needs to back up his allegations with specifics and provide whatever evidence he has to a formal independent inquiry or “truth commission”. FitzSimons and Baum note the original inquiry was rushed and prioritised protecting the team’s reputation rather than establishing the truth. Cricket Australia’s refusal to reopen the inquiry is misguided, because the controversy is not going away. When another player from that tour retires and publishes a memoir, fresh allegations could reopen old wounds. An independent inquiry is the best hope of establishing what happened and holding people to account; the public feuding between players is unedifying, and will probably worsen without such an inquiry. Salvatore Sorbello, Campsie

The return of sandpaper to the headlines is puzzling. If it is illegal to roughen up one side of the cricket ball, why is it legal to polish the other side of the same ball? Each technique aims to modify the ball’s surface. And if the aim of such a modification is to assist the bowlers, why do none of them know anything about it? David Oliver, Orange

Just a suggestion … As it appears that bowlers worldwide roughen cricket balls in to achieve the perfect swing, why don’t manufacturers make them that way so that everyone plays on an even field? Helen Robinson, Killcare

If we can have an Enhanced Games why can’t we have a Sandpaper Test? Sponsors could include Bunnings and Greyhound Buses. Bernie Bourke, Ourimbah

I am an English Test cricket fan who thinks “sandpapergate” is a storm in a teacup. I was rewatching the Fifth Test in Sydney from the 2010-11 Ashes when a zoomed-in camera shot showed Jimmy Anderson holding the ball behind his back while waiting to bowl to Michael Clarke. Tony Greig was commentating at the time and his shock at the condition of the ball was clear: “One side looks like the dog has been chewing on it and the other side is glowing.” I thought it more likely that a potato peeler had been applied. Jimmy Anderson delivered the ball and took Michael Clarke’s wicket, caught behind. So, the English used the same trick to alter the ball years earlier. It was an action practised in international cricket by other teams, which is why I don’t feel that there should be such a brouhaha about it, and especially not by the English. Rhod Jeffrey, Surry Hills

Thank goodness our Australian cricket captain, Pat Cummins, has shone an honest light on the over-eight-year-old, rejuvenated, resurrected ball scandal (“Cummins rejects Khawaja claims’, November 14). In just over an hour, he answered the questions in an extremely intense TV press conference. He displayed exceptional calm and honesty in his answers, reacting to matters raised by Usman Khawaja and backed up by David Warner. The skipper disputed and reburied all the stuff Usman and David had exhumed. He proved that he is the leader to take us through an intensive period ahead on the field. It has often been said that the best of Aussie cricket captains could have been successful Australian prime ministers. The quality of his answers may have uncovered a future candidate. Bob Brenner, Beacon Hill

I suggest that a separate edition be published about sandpaper and balls so that the rest of us can live in peace. Judy Hungerford, Narraweena

Corporate obligations

Andrew Irvine, the NAB chief executive, complains bitterly about the cost of payroll tax in Australia (“Like taxing blood donors: Bank boss slams ‘atrocious tax’”, November 14). He must be speaking in jest. Since 2024, NAB has reportedly made redundant or moved offshore some 3350 positions. Meanwhile, the bank employs 5000 people in India and another 2000 in Vietnam. Many of these are surely jobs that could be performed by Australians, earning Australian wages and paying Australian taxes. NAB appears to inhabit a different world from the rest of us. It complains about state revenue measures while reducing domestic employment, shifting costs and responsibilities onto the wider community, and retaining the financial benefits of offshoring, all while reducing the community tax-take from having people employed – in Australia. Australia’s economy depends on the contributions of employers and employees alike. Payroll tax is part of that contribution. Corporations cannot reasonably demand the benefits of operating in Australia while treating their obligations to the Australian community as an intolerable burden. Corporate social licence is not simply a matter of profitability. It carries responsibilities, too. Chris Rivers, Port Macquarie

Negative currents

The prime minister is right to say that Australia is a world leader when it comes to the decarbonisation of its electricity grid, but there is more to climate action than just that (“‘Entitled to her views’: PM on the defensive over Thunberg’s ‘snail’ jibe”, November 14). Unfortunately, we have been tardy with regard to the electrification of transport, have made little progress with the decarbonisation of industry and have been downright regressive when it comes to feeding the world’s addiction to fossil fuels. If we really do fancy ourselves as climate champions, we must at the very least stop approving new coal and gas projects. Ken Enderby, Concord

The fuss over the $32,000 coffee tab at COP31 in conservative quarters is predictable. But while people queued for an hour for a free coffee there, here in Oz we subsidised the fossil fuel industry with another $1,861,200. So it’s also no wonder the PM stuck to talking about how sad he was for his friends in the Pacific. And it’s equally unsurprising that Ms Thunberg, and many of us at home, are unimpressed. Lesley Walker, Northcote (Vic)

Of more concern than the $32,000 spent on free coffee at COP31 is the use of plastic throw-away cups, made by the fossil fuel industry and adding to our greenhouse gases. Did no one who planned the marketing really not see the connection? Karen Joynes, Bermagui

Your correspondent is correct in saying that whether NSW or Australia exports coal will make little difference to greenhouse gas production (Letters, November 14). There is no shortage of coal in the world and those burning it will continue to do so regardless of where it comes from. Likewise, gas. What is wrong is that we gain so little from these exports and regulate them so poorly at source. We should be using the proceeds to modernise our own system. At present, we have a total capacity of about 92 gigawatts. China installed 315 gigawatts of solar last year. Already some companies are saying coal-fired electricity is too expensive and last year renewables exceeded coal in global electricity production for the first time. The political parties, some of which are basically owned by the coal and gas industry, need to think about the future instead of looking backwards. Jock Webb, Narromine

Beware the clown show

Pauline Hanson’s vision for Australia harkens back to simpler times (“Hanson’s stuck with Trump link”, November 14). Simpler times were not necessarily better times. The faces were whiter, the prejudices more pronounced, our original peoples still largely dispossessed and unable to vote. Hanson, by endorsing and aping Trump’s “tear it all down approach”, made a commitment that cannot be unmade simply by removing information from her website. Peter Hartcher’s reference to the “clown show” is apt, much wider than the obvious red faces and bright red hair. You never stop wondering what is coming next. Hanson, by bending the knee and kissing the ring of the MAGA sovereign, pledged her commitment to his lack of values and ham-fisted approach. At least the Australian people can see how Trump’s approach has failed and have extra information with which to judge Hanson’s lack of suitability for high office. Those who aspire to the highest office must be judged by a higher standard. Geoff Nilon, Mascot

Peter Hartcher is adamant it was a terrible idea for the US and Israel to attack Iran in February but just because the war was badly prosecuted doesn’t mean it was wrong. Hartcher cites the need for US cabinet secretaries to live in military bases for fear of Iranian operatives, but that illustrates why the rogue regime can’t be left to its own devices, literally. He says Iran wasn’t developing nuclear weapons in February but, as Marco Rubio explained, the concern was Iran was building impenetrable bunkers and a massive missile arsenal, which would have allowed it to subsequently develop nuclear weapons without interference. Hartcher also cites the International Atomic Energy Agency saying it didn’t see a structured nuclear weapons program, but the IAEA has also repeatedly said Iran was enriching uranium to levels higher than needed for any civil purpose and was blocking IAEA inspections and oversight. Danny Samuels, Malvern (Vic)

Leaders gotta lead

Sussan Ley is right that participation in a robust democracy, with a belief that change is possible, is vital to its success and needed now more than ever (“Apathy democracy’s biggest threat”, November 14). However, our leaders are beginning to look the same in the solutions they offer, and that is why we have become hopeless that we cannot effect change. No one wants to take bold action except when in opposition, when they champion the battler and deride income inequality. Perhaps that is why we see the rise of One Nation, as they are offering something totally radical and disruptive that gives some people hope. However, once in power, and the parties find we are not ready for decisive action, they start melding into safer alternatives and all is the same again. Perhaps leaders need to start leading and they will find that our apathy turns into hope. Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy

Minns’ non-local fail

I could not let the statement by Chris Minns that he was not running a charity as justification for nominating a candidate from outside the Wallsend electorate to possibly replace Sonia Hornery (“Minns defies anger over captain’s calls”, November 14). Surely he is still part of running a democratic system that is designed to have local people representing their local area in parliament. His attitude screams that nobody within the electorate of Wallsend is capable of representing them. Shame on him. Ken Berry, Hamilton East

World of religion

I do hope that our MPs and relevant executives in the education department read, consider and respond to points raised in Helen Paterson’s excellent article (“Religion classes are a dividing factor just when social cohesion is among our highest hopes”, November 14). Canada’s public education system, in which students learn about world religions (rather than be divided into religion or non-religion classes), certainly sounds like a great model to emulate! Brenda Mattick, Neutral Bay

By all means religion can be taught but, comparatively, as part of general studies, not elevated to the status of orthodoxy. Proselytising should have no place in public schools. Edward Grieve, Woolloomooloo

I am not a religious person or a churchgoer. However, I value the religious instruction I received as a child at the local Presbyterian church and at secondary school (Letters, November 13). I remember the rousing Presbyterian hymns, stories from the King James Version of the Bible, and the teachings of Jesus. The hymns led me to the discovery of classical music and the pleasure of singing in large choirs for many years. The biblical stories enabled me to appreciate the great works of art seen in galleries and churches throughout Europe. So much of our language and daily expressions have come from the Bible, and many of the teachings of Jesus, particularly about love and forgiveness, are worth following. A compulsory course in comparative religions would be very useful, and may assist in fostering empathy for other cultures. The Church of England scripture classes at school had another advantage for all faiths. It was a convenient time to catch up with the homework you hadn’t done, and many of the Jewish girls joined us regularly for this purpose. Nora Hinchen, Naremburn

Dennis Fardy is spot on (Letters, November 14): add the option of primary ethics in secondary schools alongside religious instruction. For six years I facilitated discussions among 10- to 12-year-old primary school pupils. They taught me that children all have a view about the big philosophical issues, including love, truth telling, democracy, community, etc. After an enthusiastic discussion of tit-for-tat behaviour (they agreed it was futile) I asked: “So why do we do it?” An angel-faced 10-year-old girl quietly summed it up: “Revenge”. Religion and ethics are two perspectives on the same issue: morality. Discussions like the ones I was part of stimulated their thinking and mine, and had the benefit of linking our generations. Glenda Gartrell, Newtown

Slam the brakes on AI

James Massola’s brutally honest overview of the AI tsunami sweeping our world needs to be on page one (“Pacific jewel is in the grip of an AI fever-dream – deranged but oh so real”, November 12)! It seems that if humanity is not hit over the head with prescient warnings of danger, it’s all ‘keep calm and carry on’. We have become bedazzled by the positives of glittering AI technology to the extent that we are largely oblivious to the devastating negatives that put us at risk of losing our humanity. We are on the brink of annihilation as a species, and instead of actively listening to dismayed experts in the field, we are courting more and more rampaging AI technology in case we miss the bus! Our leaders are failing us just when we need their honesty and courage to severely slam on the brakes. Judy Finch, Taree

While Herald corespondents and the rest of the world’s media has a field day reporting on Jensen Huang’s sexual indiscretions and the effect on the AI behemoth (“Nvidia boss Huang resigns as reports of third affair emerge”, November 14), I wait with bated breath for the blockbuster movie sure to follow. World leaders, geopolitical ramifications, spies, nuclear arsenals, “honey traps”, eye-watering wealth. What’s not to love? Robert Hickey, Green Point

Microsoft has finally discovered what caused its outage (“Microsoft’s first bid to fix outage ‘not working’”, November 14): they came across one of their engineers leaving a Palo Alto data centre stuffing sandpaper into his pants. Chris Lamaro, Leichhardt

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