Grip of the Studd brothers

Q&A

Q. The cricketers, Mike Atherton and John Crawley, went to the same school (Manchester Grammar) and to the same university (Cambridge). They both play for the same county (Lancashire) and have represented England together in the same Test team several times. Does anybody know of similar instances happening before in Test cricket?

A. The brothers, C T, the elder by one year, and G B Studd both went to the same school (Eton), the same college at the same university (Trinity College, Cambridge) and played for Cambridge against Oxford in 1880, 1881 and 1882. Both made their debuts for Middlesex in 1879 and toured Australia in 1882-83, where the pair played in all four Tests. After leaving university both became missionaries, first in China, later India. Their half-brother and four full brothers also played first-class cricket. - Daniel Lightman, London WC2

Q. In cricket, why did the term "pinch hitting" come into being?

A. The pinch hitter in baseball is a substitute batter, but he oftens bats for the pitcher in the National League (where the pitcher has to bat) in North America. In the American League, the pitcher never bats, so he cannot be substituted for by a pinch hitter.

Very occasionally, if a game goes into a lot of extra innings, a manager might have to use a pitcher as a pinch hitter if he has run out of "position players" (batters). - Ian Jackman, New York

ANSWERS PLEASE

Q. Last season Aston Villa drew 3-3 away to Wimbledon. Villa's goals consisted of two own goals by Wimbledon defenders and a penalty. What is the most goals that a team has scored in one game without any of them being "proper" goals in open play? - Martyn Giscombe-Smith, London NW5

Q. In the world of Flat racing, in which race does a jockey and horse reach the fastest speed? - Kevin Maguire, Batley

If you know the answers to any of these questions or have a sporting question of your own, write to Q&A, Sports Desk, Independent on Sunday, 1 Canada Square, London E14 5DL.

Fax: 0171-293 2894