When the riot had died down, Gregory refused to continue while the umpire, who had been selected by Lord Harris, stayed at his post. During the pause, the riot restarted and following a third outbreak of disorder, play was abandoned for the day. Lord Harris and counsel for the prosecution at a subsequent trial thought gamblers had been behind the riots.Throwing was a constant cause of controversy. Ernest Jones, the Australian paceman, was no-balled for this in the second Test on Andrew Stoddart’s England tour of 1897-98.
The editor of the 1895 Wisden “heard such serious complaints as to the unfairness of bowlers” that he conducted a survey of amateur cricketers. They seem to have agreed that in the early 1880s the problem was even more serious.Bobby Peel ended his career by being sent off by Lord Hawke, his Yorkshire captain, for being drunk and relieving himself on the pitch in 1897 – Adam Samuel, London NW3Q. During the Sixties West Ham played Real Madrid at the Houston Astrodome What is the story behind this unusual event?A. The match in question was played on 19 April 1967 at what the official brochure described as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. What was so unusual about the event was that it was the first match played on a full-size pitch completely under cover For the record, the Hammers lost 3-2 – Gary Price, London E4ANSWERS PLEASEQ. Which two clubs have met on the most number of occasions in one season? Can any pair beat the seven meetings, in five different competitions, between Rotherham United and Grimsby Town in 1988-89, comprising Yorkshire and Humberside Cup, Littlewoods Cup (two legs), Fourth Division (two matches), FA Cup and Sherpa Van Trophy? – Les Payne, RotherhamQ. Would Formula One cars not be safer if the cockpit was enclosed, with roll bars etc? If so, why is this not done? – Glenn Horncastle, BrentwoodQ.
Which is the lowest non-league club in football’s pyramid to have reached the FA Cup first round, and which non-league club, post-war, went the farthest? – Jack McGowan, PooleIf 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. A FEW years ago I was fishing in Northern Ireland with Peter Clapperton, whose main claim to fame is that he once owned a whole Cornish village. Peter, who is best described as an entrepreneur, had just phoned home. “I’ve been away 48 hours and already they’re cheating me blind,” he moaned
“How many people do you employ?” I asked curiously “Two,” he said “Me mum and dad.”
Now I understand how he felt. I’ve been away for a couple of weeks, entering unexplored climes on behalf of the British Empire, and what happens? My wife and my newspaper collude to produce a farrago of innuendo, insinuations, aspersions, allusions, exaggerations and downright lies. I foresee punitive damages that could make Lottery winners look like paupers, especially when I reveal how the dentist Simon Channing plans to spend the next year.Channing was one of the three who have just accompanied me into the jungles of Arunachal Pradesh, an unexplored kingdom to the north-east of India bordered by Tibet, Assam and Burma. For me it was a two-week trip: for Channing it was the start of a year-long expedition.He has given up his job and sold everything except his house in Surrey (“and I’ll sell that if I have to”) to embark on a pounds 15,000 trip that takes in Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Venezuela, Brazil and the United States.
