Q&A: Langford's perfect spell

Q. Last week David Wells became only the 15th baseball player ever to pitch a "perfect game"; no games no runs, no errors, no walks. Has any bowler ever done the equivalent in cricket - i.e. bowled a full allocation of over in a limited-overs match, without conceding a run or any extras?

A.On 27 July, 1969 at Yeovil in a Sunday League match (sponsored in those days by John Player) in the first season of the competition, Brian Langford, the Somerset off-spinner, bowled his full allocation of eight overs for no runs - and no wickets - against Essex. His unique figures were therefore 8-8-0-0 (eight overs, eight maidens, 0 runs, o wickets). Just for the record, Essex were all out for 126 and Somerset, with 127 for 8, won by two wickets.

C W Porter, Maidstone

A. Brian Langford, who played for Somerset from 1953 to 1974, achieved the remarkable figures of eight overs, eight maidens, 0 runs, 0 wickets against Essex playing at Yeovil in 1969. Somehow a wicket would have ruined the symmetry of the figures - surely a record that is unlikely to be beaten or equalled.

Simon Davies, Grays

Q. How come Mexico hosted the World Cup in 1970 and 1986?

A. Fifa's original choice, Colombia, and then Brazil both pulled out. Canada and the USA both put forward cases to stage the event, but Fifa opted for Mexico. There was an outcry when it emerged that one of Fifa's vice presidents, Gullermo Canedo, was a leading executive with the private Mexican television company, Televisa. When he was tackled about the extortionately high ticket prices, Canedo replied: "People always have TV".

D Friel, Portsmouth

Answers please

Q. How does greyhound racing survive in this TV saturated era? What are the attendances? What is the largest attendance ever at a meeting.

K Maguire, Batley

Q. Why aren't colts allowed in the Oaks, but fillies are allowed in the Derby. Is this not a form of equine sexism?

H Gosler, Stroud

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