IN your last issue you pictured two cricket items under the heading "Cricket Mysteries." They are not badges, as your correspondent suggests, but the remains of belt buckles.

Starting from about 1850 many 19th century cricketers wore belts made of coloured webbing, with decorative buckles on them. They are often found with the remains of clasps on the back, which would have been used to fasten them to the belt. There are many different designs, and they have been dug up all over the country, in South Africa, Australia and even in South Africa and even in America. It is rare to find a complete belt with buckle.

– Christopher Saunders, Newnham.