Ducks on a rainy day

Wow, we are a heck lot better than that. An article from rediff.com copied. Original can be read here.

Ten cricket ducks on a wet day

July 26, 2006 17:09 IST

It could not get worse for a local cricket team of North Yorkshire. Ten of its players were out for ducks, leaving the team with a total of 5 -- all of which were scored through extras.

It was definitely a day to forget for bottom of the table Goldsborough Second XI in their match against Dishforth.

Interestingly, all the ten wickets fell to catches, each batsman having managed to strike the ball.

Undeterred, the team set about defending their meagre total and snapped up two quick wickets without conceding a run.

Their hopes were dashed, however, when the third batsman for Dishforth, the home side, earned victory for his team through the only runs to come from the bat in the match.

The match is thought to be the lowest scoring game in the 112-year history of the Nidderdale and District Amateur Cricket League in North Yorkshire.

Wisden Almanack, the cricketers' bible, described Disforth's feat as very rare.

Chris Lane, Wisden's managing director, said it was also amazing that every Goldsborough batsman had been caught.

"Having all put bat to ball, it's quite extraordinary that they didn't manage to get a single run," he said.

But records show the batting failure was exceeded in Midlands in 1931 when Shepstone's XI were all out for only four extras.

Goldsborough's runs were achieved through four byes and a leg bye in fewer than 12 overs against the division four leaders.

Peter Horseman, captain of the losing team, said it was a "surreal and embarrassing experience."

"We could have got a run but the batsman had just been hit on the foot the ball before and he turned down the chance.

"When we were naught for four I jokingly said it would be strange if we were all out for ducks."

Dishforth's captain Steve Wilson said: "It was really tough for them. Everything they hit just went wrong.

"At one stage 12 batsmen had been in without one of them scoring a run. It was all getting a bit bizarre."

The miserable batting performance created a stir on Goldsborough Cricket Club's official website. One contributor wrote: "I know it was wet on Saturday, but nobody expected so many ducks."