A sporting chance

Sir, – Finn McRedmond mocks the appointment of cricketer Ian Botham as British trade envoy to Australia ("Myth of global Britain laid bare in utter shallowness", Opinion & Analysis, August 26th), but in the London Times, Alexander Downer (former Australian foreign minister and High Commissioner to the UK) observes, "He's a cricketing great and Australians love a sports star. It won't be hard for him to encourage Aussies to turn to Scotch whisky to help them through never-ending lockdowns."

Have we no under-employed sporting greats who could be plugging Irish whiskey or Baileys Down Under? – Yours, etc,

Dr JOHN DOHERTY,

Gaoth Dobhair,

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Co Dhún na nGall.