Nobel in defeat

Malcolm Knox ( You can have the Ashes … we're finding other sources of pride , 8 January) suggests Australians seeking consolation should look to their "11 Nobel prize winners". They are indeed people of whom Australia can be proud: unfortunately, with just under three times the population, the UK can boast more than 10 times that number of recipients. An innings defeat and then some. Rendel Harris London • Many of us will share the disappointment expressed by your correspondents on the lacklustre take-up of free seats for the final morning of the last Ashes Test by "Austrian supporters" ( Report , 8 January). Clearly European solidarity still requires considerable work. Jonathan Webber Wolverhampton