Much richly deserved criticism has been directed to Australian Test captain Pat Cummins for divisive comments about Australia Day (It’s the age of treason, 24/1). It seems hypocritical for national sports teams to embrace the pride of representing our country here and internationally throughout the year singing the anthem, acknowledging the flag but then deciding come January 26, our national day, that Australia is not representing its minorities through its institutions at all and they need to do something about it. Every year, the nauseatingly elite opine from their supposedly moral heights, telling us that our patriotism is misplaced and we ought be ashamed of our feelings. As any captain of a sporting team knows, boosting morale and creating a collective identity guarantees a culture of nurturing the best skills of the players on the field. With Mr Cummins captaining the Test team against the West Indies, maybe the unexpected loss in Brisbane on Sunday will be considered a wake-up call for the woke. (It’s a Windies for the ages, 29/1). Alan Sexton, Nth Parramatta 30Jan2024