Mid-October and the Indian Summer rolls on. A few days ago the temperature was still hovering around 30oC, but thank goodness it had dropped to a breezy 22oC for the second visit of the Indian Engineers, and what a stunner of a game it was too.

The odds were all stacked against the Kytes. For starters there were only nine members who made it; on top of that were the injuries: Skippa (back), Slog (back), keeper (finger), v-c (finger), and Toddy (something akin to gout). The pre-match catching and throwing practice was nothing short of abysmal and, although the normal banter was in evidence, a general apathy seemed to pervade the air. Ready we were not.

The grass had been cut, conditions were good and, under cumulo nimbo cirro stratus skies, Paul Biju and his team must surely have relished batting against this excuse for a cricket team. Fifteen deliveries and two wickets later there was a whole new slant on the situation.

A superb run out from Takashi, hitting R-G M's gloves in the perfect spot for him to break the stumps, removed dangerman Sriram, sparking off an incredible session of cricket from the Men in Whites. Bruce clean bowled the equally dangerous Rajkumar, and the Kytes were buzzing.

Sunil and Prasad tried to calm things for the Engineers but by this time the Kytes' f-c was calling the shots. Field changes were made every few deliveries but, such was their speed and efficiency, the flow of the game was not affected. Robert A captured the third and fourth wickets with two c&b's and, after 7 overs, the Engineers were struggling on 30/4.

Takashi pouched a catch to give Bruce his second wicket, and with Anton's fluid field changes the Engineers were not allowed to settle, the Kytes looking far from a team who were fielding with two short. Takashi also gave little away from his bowling but it was Neil, making a welcome return, who took the bowling honours.

The batsmen were under pressure already, and Neil's teasing deliveries made matters worse. Slog caught one, Skippa too, one was clean bowled, and an lbw left his figures on an amazing 4/2. Meanwhile Todd, gout or not, had made a surprisingly agile stop followed by one of his signature rifle-like throws to complete a second run out.

The result of all this was the earliest curry ever; in little more than an hour the Indian Engineers were all out for 48, sadly for them the lowest score ever recorded by Kytes' opposition (except when overtaking some of our own hopeless totals). The fielding was expertly marshalled by Anton; it had gone like clockwork. Takashi made some good plays, Malcolm turned 2's and 3's into singles and 2's, Neil stopped everything, and there was not a dropped catch in sight; superb execution.

With only 49 needed some of the Shizuokans got stuck into the lunch-time curry; Malcolm, Slog, Takashi and Robert were all seen tucking into seconds, obviously anticipating no further involvement. And when Bruce had smashed a 6 and a 4 from the first two deliveries, hacking 20% from the requirement, a 10 wicket victory was on the cards but, let's not forget, this is the Kytes we're talking about.

Todd made precisely zero, and was forced to cough up the only 100 yen fine of the day, but this only brought the v-c to the crease. Skippa continued on his merry way and, when he fell for 27 with the score on 32, the game was within the Kytes' grasp.

Anton and Takashi kept the score ticking along even though poor Taka could be seen doubled up in great pain after every single, courtesy of that second helping of curry. Anton holed out with only five more needed, giving Neil the chance to walk out to the centre to get a nice close view of Takashi tonking the next two deliveries for 2 and 4, and the Men in White claimed victory by 7 wickets (though they really only had 5 in hand). Scorers: Hiroko H, Namy, MVP-Neil

It had been a stunning win for the depleted and injured Kytes and, since the match ended at the unprecedented time of 1.45pm, a second game of 20 overs was swiftly organised, with the teams mixed.

The teams were designated as Hiroko's IX and Namy's IX, and it was the former that batted first. In fact nearly twice as many runs were scored as in the proper game.

Hiroko's team scored 98, underpinned by a flashing 48 from Sriram, showing his true form this time. Namy's team made 80-odd in reply with Robert A just inches away from a hat-trick. It was a thoroughly enjoyable game which helped to cement the growing friendship between the two sides.

Well the Kytes are now on a winning streak.....of two. Form has been surprisingly good recently but a worrying trend is the failure to field a complete team in each of the last three games.
 
 

It was the best day for cricket we've had this year: gorgeous sunshine, blue skies, a temperature of 22oC with just a slight breeze, a firm pitch, a sound bounce, and even the outfield was in good nick.

The problem was that we should have been playing Nagoya CC in the third match of the Tokai Frienship Series. At 9am (two hours before the start) they pulled out citing lack of numbers.

Under normal circumstances the Kytes chef d'equipe would have been none too pleased, but on this occasion he may well have breathed a sigh of relief; for only he knew that the Kytes were also struggling badly with numbers. From an original availability of 14 players the number had steadily plummeted during the latter part of the week with a litany of excuses that would have tested the patience of a saint. Two no-shows (inexcusable) left the team further decimated with only six stalwarts turning up on a day made for cricket.

It was suggested that we claim the game but had the game been in Nagoya then the roles would have been reversed with the Kytes pulling out at the last moment. So the final match in Nagoya is now the decider.
It was too good a day, and a curry, to waste, so a single-wicket contest was dreamed up, each player batting alone, facing one over from each of the other five. Runouts could only occur at the end to which the batsman was headed (no U-turns allowed), and a dismissal would reduce the batsman's total by five.
 
Slog was first to bat, encountering the freshest bowlers and fielders. A mixture of sneaky runs and constant hitting produced 56 runs though uncharacteristic recklessness resulted in four dismissals; net score 36.

Next was Nial who took things much more steadily, with sensible shots and few risks. A 6 off the penultimate ball propelled him onto 38 with no outs.

These totals were quickly put into perspective when Robert A blew everyone away with some ferocious hitting. Despite being out twice he still managed to net 58, which set the target for the remaining three.

Takashi hit some and missed some others, and never looked like getting anywhere near the target, netting 31.

R-G M steered through all the flak that came his way, preserving his wicket throughout, scoring 20 with a succession of well-placed shots.

Finally Toddy gave it all he had. His painful foot prevented him from taking a number of singles and his awesome hitting could not compensate for all the dot balls, as he ended up on 47.

Deserved victory to Robert A in a terrific contest. Of course a real match would have been preferable, but the single-wicket slugfest was an excellent second best, and there was no doubt that all concerned really felt that they had been in a game of cricket.

By this time a number of supporters had arrived (perhaps the first time we had more fans than players), so a leisurely curry could be savoured for once. The fact that a border collie from the dog-training exercises on the adjacent ground had cocked his leg and piddled on the side of the pot made little difference to the flavour, and the lot was scoffed.

A little knockaround for the fans followed. Muneaki-san looked to have some solid technique and Kiriko, Kaori and Tomoko also displayed some of their natural talents. Nice girls; a kind of identikit picture of all their best parts might even satisfy Todd's strict requirements.
 
 

As the millennium has run out it seems appropriate that the theme for this issue be the run-out.

1 What percentage of wickets fall to run-outs (within 3%)?

2 A no ball is called and the striker advances out of his crease to strike the ball early. He misses and the keeper breaks the wicket with the striker stationary and stranded. Out or not out?

3 The advancing striker glances the ball behind square, whereupon the keeper gathers and breaks the wicket with the striker stranded. Run-out or stumped?

4 With all the stumps knocked out of the ground how can a fielder effect a run-out?

5 How can both batsmen be out off the same ball?

(Answers to be found somewhere in this issue)
 
 

Mark in the dark; literally not figuratively, but that comes right at the end of yet another thrilling match. With the series standing at 1-1 this would be the decider between Nagoya CC and the Shizuoka Kytes. The game was originally scheduled for the sand of Nagoya, but since the Nagoyans had pulled out at the last moment of the previous game a compromise was reached with the ACO providing the venue.

Pure, cloudless, azure skies, 19oC, only a hint of a breeze, the weather was perfect. The outfield looked good, but was too coarse in places, and surprisingly soft. The pitch was also soft and, though it would dry in the sunshine, each delivery (that bounced) would leave a divot. Batting was not going to be easy.

It had been a 5-week gap since the last game. Yokohama CAC should have turned up a few weeks ago but cried off at the last moment; Nagoya did likewise as mentioned already, and other teams seem exceptionally reluctant to play at this time of year. When is everyone going to realise that October and November are the prime months for cricket in this country?

As it was Nagoya arrived with only 8 players, so Kenji kindly agreed to be loaned, and the Kytes were bolstered by the appearance of two Fuji CC members to bring their number to the full eleven.

Capn Anton actually won the toss, and inserted Nagoya on the drying pitch. Todd opened with a maiden, and Mark C followed suit, and in the third over Todd clean bowled Razni. If the Kytes had any thoughts about another early curry they were quickly dispelled as Kenji and Ruwais dug in.

The score had progressed to 26 from 8 when Takashi came on. We are never sure which Takashi has turned up until he starts his spell. Since he was unable to locate the pitch with his first three deliveries it was immediately evident that the wrong Takashi was here today. The fourth delivery actually landed, and bounced two or three times before Kenji somehow spooned it to Nial at short cover, giving Takashi the most undeserved wicket of the season.

Faroz hit the next full toss for 6, Ruwais hit another, and Takashi was lucky that his two overs had conceded only 20 runs. Ruwais indeed was playing one of the innings of the season. In very demanding batting conditions, with the loose sole of his shoe flapping wildly and with Mark C bowling a terrific spell, he kept his concentration, and kept the Sri Lankans in the game.

Nick was bowling tightly too, and Faroz , who was starting to look quite stylish, slipped as he played his shot and broke his wicket with his sliding boot, very unlucky. At 56/3 from 14 the game was well-poised.

However Anton was having problems with the *5th' bowler. Takashi could not be risked, so he reluctantly turned to himself. He also struggled with his rhythm and Ruwais and Raji made the most of it. A partnership of 70 ensued with Ruwais hitting the boundaries (four 6's, three 4's), and Raji providing staunch support (nine 2's, thirteen singles). Todd was brought back and eventually Ruwais skied one over cover, which Slog, with a scramble and a flop, just about held. Ruwais' score of 64 in tough conditions was probably the best batting performance of the series.

The Men in White picked up a few more wickets as Coatesy finally got one, Anton's 200 decibel shout ensuring that no-one but he would make the catch. Incidentally it was his 11th catch of the season, which was streets ahead of the next best. Raji departed for 31, but the Nagoyans were batting wisely and all the lower order contributed well. Anton got a wicket too when Yer Man made his second dolly catch of the innings, and Mark captured another in his final over. Figures of 2/17 from 6 were the best of the day; from his 30 deliveries 23 were dot balls.

The last wicket fell in the 30th and final over when R-G M, with a backward flip of the glove sent the ball onto the stumps for an exceptionally well-improvised run out. Nagoya's innings was closed on 167, a significant contribution being 16 wides, several of which were well within reach and simply missed, but this should not detract from a good batting performance that set the Kytes an asking rate of five-and-a half an over.

The Kytes openers started briskly and 15 was on the board after 2 overs. The Fuji President sweetly smote his first delivery for 6, and Neil soon followed with a cracking 4, but they went into their shell from then on and the next 15 runs took up another 7 overs. It was a strange looking scorecard as both openers were bowled, as were Suzuki and Nial, Ruwais and Faroz sharing the wickets (in fact there were to be no catches in the entire innings).

By this stage the halfway point had been reached and only 47 runs were on the board, leaving a massive requirement of 121 from 15. Batting was just as tricky as it had been for the Nagoyans who, with only 9 players, placed their fielders wisely; the Sri Lankans were well on top.

Capn Anton and Toddy had other ideas however. The fightback was on as they clawed the Kytes back into the game. Two huge 6's from Todd helped the score along to 93 from 21, but both departed in quick succesion, Anton bowled by Sameer, and Todd run out by Nick. At the end of the 22nd over the Shizuokans were floundering again on 95/6, but at the end of the 23rd Nick, shrugging off the run out fiasco, had propelled the score to 109 and the Kytes were still in the game.

Next over though Nick was also bowled, leaving Slog and Mark a real uphill task as the sun rapidly disappeared behind the hills. It was time for a slog. Between them they somehow managed to find at least 10 from each of the next 4 overs, and with 2 overs left the requirement had been sliced to 20; there was still a chance, but the Nagoyans had astutely left Ruwais with one over up his sleeve.

In gloomy conditions he fired the ball through, short and fast. Slog and Coatesy could hardly lay bat on ball until Slog connected with a straight 4, but it left the Kytes needing 15 from the last over. Six were taken from the first 4 deliveries so it came down to a requirement of 9 from 2 deliveries for victory, or 8 for a tie.

Cricket, as we all know can be dispassionate at times, but perhaps this is one of the reasons why it can be so compelling. Mark, a guest player, a specialist bowler who had figured in a stand of 50 from 5 overs was now being asked to hit two consecutive boundaries to save the series for the Kytes, and it was so murky that the umpires couldn't even locate the light-meter when Slog appealed for light.

Nihas bowled and Mark took an almighty swing and lo and behold a 4. It was now down to the wire; the last competitive delivery of the season, indeed the decade, or the century, nay the millennium; Mark in the dark.

Coatsey took another almighty swing, missed, and the match went to Nagoya by 4 runs, and the Tokai Friendship Series by 2-1. Mark was left on 17 and Slog on 34, and the Sri Lankans were almost too drained to celebrate. Capn Anton wrapped up proceedings by congratulating Nagoya CC, and thanking all present for contributing to a tremendous day's cricket. Scorer: Hiroko H, MVP: Slog.

So Nagoya edged the series. They are a tightly-knit team who, under Razny's sound leadership, employ sensible tactics, garnished with plenty of appealing, and topped with a gritty attitude. It is hoped that the series can be repeated next season.

Yoshida's: An inquest into how the narrowest of losses could have been turned into victory? No, let's leave it at that; it was a thrilling contest with all participants giving their all.

Instead talk turned to speculation concerning how the teams could have been separated had the match ended in a tie. The Kytes favoured the little known Slogworth-McLewis method which, when meticulously calculated, would have given them another 23 deliveries to score the winning run. Nagoya were in favour of the equally obscure Ranatunga-Ratnapura method which would have seen them victorious by an innings and 187 runs. We should be grateful that Coatsey didn't score a 4 from the last ball.

The other talking point, notwithstanding the cutesy, young waitresses, was the sumo showdown between Takanohana and Musashimaru. A titanic struggle ensued in this decisive bout, as the Hawaiian/Samoan behemoth flipped the Tokyo tank to win his fourth basho of the year. It's amazing to think that our biggest player (Skippa himself) is only about 40% of the weight of Musashimaru, and our tiniest supporter (take your pick) is a mere 17%.
 

On November 4th 1999 Michael Holding could not choke back the tears as he spoke of Malcolm Marshall's death, "I don't think of the guy as a fast bowler".

Malcolm Denzil Marshall was born on April 18th 1958 in St Michael, Barbados. He was always going to be a good cricketer, but no-one knew how good. A wiry 5ft 10ins, 175lbs, he did not look like the typical West Indian fast bowler, but he made his Barbados debut in 1977 and was in the West Indies test team when only 20.

Marshall grew up watching Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith rip through batting line-ups, and he spent his 14 year test career doing likewise with Holding, Joel Garner, Andy Roberts and Colin Croft. Being six inches smaller than the next man he would strap sandbags to his legs while jogging to improve his spring. It worked. From a shortish run he sprang into his delivery stride and, with a whiplash swing of the arm allied to a terrific snap of the wrist, the ball was propelled with venomous speed.

Without the physical attributes of the other Windies bowlers Marshall adopted a different approach. Garner, for example, used his height and reach to release the ball above the line of many a sightscreen, giving the batsman little idea of the type of the delivery rapidly coming his way and even less idea of where it would pitch. Consequently Garner's yorker was one of the most destructive in cricket history.

Marshall, though, utilised his lower trajectory to the full. He appeared to defy the laws of physics as the ball seemingly accelerated off the pitch, rocketing at/past/over/under/through the batsman's defences; and there was the control. Everton Weekes described him as "one of the three best fast bowlers ..... ever".

Despite being one of a fiercesome quartet of fast bowlers he still managed to take an incredible 376 test wickets at an astounding average of 20.94. In addition he also scored 1,810 test runs, becoming only the second West Indian to surpass 100 wickets and 1,000 runs in Test cricket, the first being the incomparable Sir Garfield Sobers.

His test career was highlighted by the two blackwash series against England in 1984 and 86, in which he took a total of 51 wickets in nine tests, and the West Indies reigned supreme in world cricket. His guts and determination were epitomised in the 1984 test at Leeds where he batted with a broken left hand to enable Larry Gomes to reach a century, and then took seven wickets. The ball that destroyed Mike Gatting's face in Sabina Park, Jamaica, even though he was helmeted (the ball forced its way between peak and visor), was one of the most ferocious ever witnessed. Marshall was a formidable opponent, but throughout his career he stuck to his values, hard and fair.

He served Barbados until 1991 when he was prematurely left out of the test team after 81 tests. However half of his 1,651 first-class wickets were taken for his adopted English county, Hampshire, where he played from 1979-92. In county cricket the opposition tactics were always the same: survive Marshall, if possible, and score from the rest. He bowled far too many of Hampshire's overs and when the seven day a week diet of county cricket finally took its toll he moved on to play four seasons in Natal, until his retirement in 1996.

In Marshall's first season Natal captured the Currie Cup, but it was his impact off the pitch as a coach that was becoming far greater. Race was no barrier. As well as coaching young black cricketers he also helped white ones too. Shaun Pollock (now the world's No 1 rated bowler) and Lance Klusener were two of many to benefit.

In Hampshire too he pursued his coaching career, Nixon McLean and Merv Dillon coming his tutelage. Also in Australia and Pakistan, not to mention his native Barbados, he was always willing to help, regardless of nationality; his cricketing values were on a far higher plane.

But why suddenly an obituary of Malcolm Marshall in the Shizuoka Kytes official newsletter? In fact three Bajun test players tragically passed away within weeks of each other, the other two being Sir Conrad Hunte and Sylvester Clarke, so why is Marshall singled out?

As well as coaching players from many of the test playing nations he was also on hand to help coach a number of Japanese hopefuls from Chuo University (Tokyo) and Doshisha University (Kyoto), at a summer seminar in 1996. This trip was organised by the Japan Cricket Association and reports of Marshall's irrepresible enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the game, not to mention his friendliness, soon flew back to the JCA (then based in Shizuoka).

Still in his thirties it was no surprise when he was asked to coach an ailing West Indies test squad. Already upset by their lack of spirit, he was devastated by the threatened players' strike over payment for the much awaited tour of South Africa. Whether or not the players' claims were well-founded he felt that refusal to play was no solution. He had always put cricket first, and expected others so to do.

It was a massive blow to the cricketing community to learn of Marshall's advancing cancer. He was married to Connie a month before his death, they had one son. He gave his life to cricket both on and off the field.

He may not have influenced a whole generation as did Grace and Bradman, but he had an amazing influence on all those around him. As Holding put it, Malcolm Marshall was not a fast bowler. He transcended that. He was cricket.
 
 

It was a chance to spread loam on the pitch in readiness for next season, and also a chance for another of the Kytes' special single-wicket contests; this time 4 overs each.

First in was Nyall who scored from practically every ball and, with a number of boundaries, ended up on 42 runs, quite a target. It looked like Neil was in with a shout when a few shots whistled to the boundary, but two catches slowed him down and he finished on 20-odd. Malcolm and Robert A were also undone by a few dismissals, and never really threatened.

The only threat came from Slog who didn't hit any boundaries but ran them instead. Needing 8 from his last delivery this attempt also failed as he was run out on his third run after a well-placed prod back to the bowler. R-G M, despite requesting that square leg take a few photos and then proceeding to hit almost every delivery into that same vacant spot, was also unable to overtake the target.

So Yer Man took the honours as Shizuoka cricket bade farewell to the second millennium.

It was time to get stuck in to the curry. After a few helpings each we still had a load left, so the soccer players on the neighbouring ground were invited to join us which they did with alacrity. A few conversations were struck and we soon found ourselves in a 6-a-side soccer tourney. We provided one team and they provided two and a three-way contest ensued.

So the Kytes FC took the field, the curry still churning away inside. Without any discussion of tactics everyone seemed to find a different position and, with Bruce on keeping duty, the Men in White looked as though they knew what they were doing. A dour struggle saw the first game end 0-0, with Robert A, Nyall, Neil, Malcolm, R-G M and Slog in rotation all linking together really well, and Bruce stopped everything that came his way. Kevin also got in on the act and provided a few wild moments before remembering that his contacts were at home when he couldn't spot any of his team-mates.

The Kytes got a rest for the second game which was won by Team B, who would face the Kytes in the decider. By this time the weird sight of all these gaijin in flannels throwing themselves into a game of football had worn off and a very competitive game took place. Nyall opened the scoring with well-struck left-foot shot into the top corner, but Team B soon equalised. The pace quickened and some end to end stuff followed. A toe-poke from Slog eventually broke the deadlock, and in the closing minutes he poached another with a fine assist from R-G M, 3-1 to the Kytes.

So the Kytes finally won something, but it wasn't cricket. Anyway it was a terrifically enjoyable kickaround which we hope to try again next season. At least the Kytes can now claim to be ending the millennium with a victory.
 

Answers:
1 4%
2 Not out
3 Stumped
4 By replacing a stump and then removing it with the ball in the same hand.
5 They collide while running leaving one run-out and the other knocked out!
 
 

There was a polite knock on the Sky Times' editor's door.

"Come."

The knock was repeated.

"Come!"

A third knock, so Ed begrudgingly eased himself out of his recliner where he did all his best drinking, opened the door, and saw no-one.

"Down here, Mr Case sir,"  warbled a squeaky sounding voice.

Ed looked down to see the smiling face of a rather nice little man.

"Dannyboy Dooley, at your service, I am. Cork Leprechauns 2nd XI."

Ed immediately warmed to this charming character.

"Take a stool. Drink? How about a drop of stout?"

Dannyboy's tale began, and the name of Slog soon filled the musty air.

"I don't know how to tell you this Mr Case sir, but it's Mr Sinbad Slog you see. He's fallen in love!"

Ed nearly fell out of his recliner. As it was he merely choked violently on his Screwdriver. "Tell me more," he spluttered.

"During our triangular tournament on August 11th at Stonehenge against the Druids and the Hollywood Bowlers something very strange happened."

"You mean the Stonehenge Druids won a game at long last?"

"No sir, Mr Case, you see the Druids had just started their game against the Bowlers and at about 10.15 it suddenly went all dark and got a bit cold too."

"You mean just like on a really cloudy day?" Sarcasm was Ed's strong point.

"Well, come to think of it, it was cloudy, but that wasn't the reason. You see play was stopped by a total eclipse. And the total eclipse was totally eclipsed by what went on behind one of the stone monoliths. When the birds started chattering it seemed like a sign from above. Slog went over to one of the Bowlers' fielders, whispered something, and they both leapt behind the stone and started screaming shrieking and wailing furiously."

"I always thought he was a little queer," chuckled Ed, as he toyed with the bendy part of his straw.

"But he's not sir, he's not. You see the Hollywood Bowlers were one short so they asked one of those Baywatch babes to play. Apparently she's a leg-spinner and a specialist in the covers."

The glass suddenly fell from Ed's grasp, but Dannyboy's text-book catch meant not a drop was spilt. "So what happened, did anybody see them?" Ed was not looking forward to the answer.

"Well sir I did have a little wee peek behind the stone I did. It was like some pagan ritual. Carnal bestiality I reckon. Never seen anything like I haven't. They were all over each other."

Ed was in a state of shock. How could such a dung-chucking, willow-thrashing dropkick as Slog pluck one of those ripe, juicy Baywatch bimbos? "I wish he had stuck to plucking pheasants and had never taken up cricket," blurted Ed in a moment of intense jealousy.

"Oh, but he's not a pheasant plucker, he's a pheasant plucker's son," pointed out Dannyboy as he made a quick exit; he could see he had overstayed his welcome, and he just managed to avoid a cascade of dark brown droplets as the remains of his stout were unceremoniously flung against the office wall.

Still green with envy Ed reached for his astrological almanac and searched frantically for details of the next eclipse.
 
 

.....king pairs? No, not those buxom, pert, grabbable things that are quite a rarity in these parts, but rather the two ducks in a match that all batsmen despise.

Needless to say a few seasoned players have avoided the ignominious pair throughout their entire first-class career. One eminent book lists a few examples, including Grace, Bradman and Langridge. Who? Well if the list includes John Langridge then there cannot be that many players (who have had a cricketing career of any substance) who have not suffered the dreaded pair.

In fact John Langridge was the opening bat for Sussex from 1928 to 1955. He scored 34,380 runs with 76 centuries; no other batsman has been so prolific and missed out on a Test cap. Incidentally he also took 784 catches, and later became an umpire, another cricketer through and through.

Players to have endured the agony of a pair include Greg Chappell, who once had six consecutive ducks, Mike Atherton, who fell to his second in the recent Test series in South Africa, and Brian Lara, whose brace of ducks were captured by the same bowler, a certain Dr Julian Barton de Courcy Thompson of Kent.

It may not be surprising to know that a number of players have suffered two golden ducks in a game, a golden pair, but for one of them, James Pyemont of Derbyshire, the pain must have been excrutiating. It happened for him against Surrey in August of this year, on his first-class debut! He is only the third player in history to plunge to a king pair.