Q & A: Nine out of ten for dismissals

Q. There are 10 ways of being out in cricket. Ten wickets fall during an innings. What is the closest any first-class side has been to collecting a full set in one innings?

A. In 1952 there were only nine possible ways of being out at cricket; being timed out having been introduced in more recent times. In a match of that year between Baroda and Holkar almost the gamut of cricketing departures was run. The bizarre series of falling (or not) wickets began innocuously enough with a catch in the slips, Baroda fielding. There followed, in order, hit ball twice, stumped, lbw, hit own wicket, caught, interfering with field of play, lbw, handled ball, run out. Ironically, nobody was actually clean bowled. - Aloke Kapur, London W9

Q. When I was very young, my favourite athlete was the sprinter McDonald Bailey. I know he took part in the Olympic Games for Britain, and I have a feeling that he won a bronze medal in about 1952. Could you please put my mind at rest?

A. Yes, that marvellous stylist Emmanuel McDonald Bailey did win a bronze medal in the 100m at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952. He was fourth in the 200m and had been sixth in the 100m in London four years earlier. The reason he is forgotten is that he signed up to play Rugby League (at which he did not succeed) and was therefore placed outside the core of 'gentlemen' athletes. - Padraig O Snodaigh, Dublin

A. Emmanuel McDonald Bailey was born in Trinidad on 8 December 1920. He first appeared in the AAA Championships in 1939, in the 220 yards. Between 1946 and 1953 he won a record 14 senior individual AAA titles, plus one relay. On top of this, and his Olympic performance, the 1953 Whitaker's Almanack records that he equalled the world 100 metres record at Helsinki in 1951 with a time of 10.2sec. - Tim Mickleburgh, Grimsby

Q. What arrangements, if any, do they have in the Tour de France for riders to use the toilet during a race? Are there any circumstances in which they are allowed to stop and restart?

A. With stages lasting up to seven hours, combined with frequent liquid intake, the call of nature can come all too often. The ideal situation is when the pace is slow and riders can drop off the pack and utilise the roadside verge or a bush. The only problem with stopping is the time lost. Therefore, if the racing is hectic, then, as crude as it may seem, either the road itself is used or in exceptional cases the cyclist's shorts. - Peter Burgess, Norwich

A. Riders in the Tour de France are allowed to stop to pass urine only if they are out of sight of the public. In this year's race, several riders were fined for relieving themselves publicly. - Miss K Brown, London W10

A The Tour first visited the UK in the early 1970s, for time trials along the Plympton by-pass. My father, who was an inspector and on duty, is from a large family of policemen, and always wore his uniform proudly. On one occasion, as the riders sped past, one of them peed all over his highly polished boots. To quote my mother-in-law they appeared to 'piddle as they pedal'. - Nicholas Roper, Plymouth

Q. The first FA Cup, dating from 1871- 72, was won outright by the Wanderers in 1878 after their third successive victory. Do the Wanderers, or a successor club, still exist, and if not, is the whereabouts of the original FA Cup known?

A. The Wanderers started life as Forest FC, formed in 1859 by a group of Old Harrovians, their ground was at Snaresbrook, Essex. Recruitment was from public school old boys and the major universities. For a variety of reasons, but mainly to obtain a name 'more in keeping with a club of high standard' in 1863 Forest was disbanded and reformed as Wanderers. Initially, they had no ground of their own, but by 1870 they were playing home matches at the Oval, Kennington. Although enjoying success in such a short time, by 1880 the club had lost their pre-eminent position to the likes of Old Carthusians and Old Etonians and were disbanded at the end of the 1881-82 season. Their record of excellence in the game was taken up by the Corinthians, who were founded in 1882. - Brian Mellowship, London SE12

Q. Is it true that Teddy Maybank, the legendary Chelsea, Brighton and Fulham centre-forward was one of the first contestants on Blind Date?

A. Yes indeed - he appeared on the second programme nine years ago. I know because I was the female 'chooser' who selected him from three 'hopefuls'. We went to County Cork to kiss the Blarney Stone. Teddy used his new-found 'fame' for some self- promotion, contrary to the agreement pre-signed with London Weekend Television. Cilla said, 'Don't they make a lovely couple.' - Claire Lipton, London EC1

ANSWERS PLEASE

Q. After entering the Scottish League in 1947-48 Stirling Albion in the next 17 seasons to 1964-65 experienced either promotion or relegation 11 times. In another two seasons the club finished bottom of their Division but were not relegated. Has any other football club experienced such a period of ups and downs. - Orestes Townbar, Nottingham

Q. Are Cesare and Paolo Maldini, who played for Milan at different times, the only father and son ever to feature in European Cup-winning sides? - Ann Robinson, Salford

Q. Apart from the first Test against South Africa, what was the last home Test match in which no England batsmen managed an aggregate of 50 over both innings? - Richard Foster, London NW6

Q. Apart from Greg LeMond beating Laurent Fignon in 1989, are there any other instances of a rider losing the Yellow Jersey on the last stage of the Tour de France? - Macdara Ferris, Dublin

If you know the answers to any of these questions, or have a sporting question of your own you would like answered, write to:

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