Mad dashes
After the Ian Bell run-out controversy at Trent Bridge, here's a look back at some other famous run-outs (and a couple of close-run things)
Steven Lynch
08-Aug-2011
Joe Solomon runs out Ian Meckiff to tie the Brisbane Test of 1960-61 • Getty Images
The Tied Test, 1960
There were three run-outs in the closing stages of one of the most famous of all international matches, the first Tied Test, between Australia and West Indies in Brisbane in 1960-61. Australia needed only seven runs with four wickets in hand, but Alan Davidson and Wally Grout were run out, while Richie Benaud was caught behind. Amid unbearable tension, in the last possible over of the match, Australia's final pair tried to scamper the winning single - only for Joe Solomon, square of the wicket on the leg side, to hit the one stump visible to him and run out the lunging Ian Meckiff, to secure the tie.
There were three run-outs in the closing stages of one of the most famous of all international matches, the first Tied Test, between Australia and West Indies in Brisbane in 1960-61. Australia needed only seven runs with four wickets in hand, but Alan Davidson and Wally Grout were run out, while Richie Benaud was caught behind. Amid unbearable tension, in the last possible over of the match, Australia's final pair tried to scamper the winning single - only for Joe Solomon, square of the wicket on the leg side, to hit the one stump visible to him and run out the lunging Ian Meckiff, to secure the tie.
Mike Atherton, 1993
There are some famous names on the honours board at Lord's - and some notable omissions too. One man who missed out, by the most agonising of margins, was Atherton. In the 1993 Ashes Test he had reached 99 when he slipped, and was on his knees in despair as the bails were gleefully whipped off in front of him. Wisden explained: "Atherton had reached 97, batting more fluently than in the first innings, when he clipped a ball to midwicket off Border. Both batsmen were swayed by the impending landmark as they debated a third run. Atherton set off, stalled and then slipped as Hughes hurled the ball from the boundary; he was agonisingly stranded as Healy removed the bails. If he had been on seven or 87 a third run would not have been contemplated."
There are some famous names on the honours board at Lord's - and some notable omissions too. One man who missed out, by the most agonising of margins, was Atherton. In the 1993 Ashes Test he had reached 99 when he slipped, and was on his knees in despair as the bails were gleefully whipped off in front of him. Wisden explained: "Atherton had reached 97, batting more fluently than in the first innings, when he clipped a ball to midwicket off Border. Both batsmen were swayed by the impending landmark as they debated a third run. Atherton set off, stalled and then slipped as Hughes hurled the ball from the boundary; he was agonisingly stranded as Healy removed the bails. If he had been on seven or 87 a third run would not have been contemplated."
Jonty Rhodes and Inzamam-ul-Haq, 1992
Inzamam featured in a few run-outs in his time - once, against India in Sharjah, there was a photo-finish between him and Mohammad Yousuf, who were both out at the same end - but the most spectacular was one of the first he was involved in over a long international career. Inzamam tried an optimistic single against South Africa during the 1992 World Cup match in Brisbane. Rhodes came sprinting in from point and - realising he could beat Inzamam, who had been sent back - launched himself at the stumps, breaking them in mid-dive. It established two reputations: Rhodes' as a supreme fielder, and Inzamam's as a terrible runner. Inzy was run out in three of his next four innings at that World Cup as well.
Inzamam featured in a few run-outs in his time - once, against India in Sharjah, there was a photo-finish between him and Mohammad Yousuf, who were both out at the same end - but the most spectacular was one of the first he was involved in over a long international career. Inzamam tried an optimistic single against South Africa during the 1992 World Cup match in Brisbane. Rhodes came sprinting in from point and - realising he could beat Inzamam, who had been sent back - launched himself at the stumps, breaking them in mid-dive. It established two reputations: Rhodes' as a supreme fielder, and Inzamam's as a terrible runner. Inzy was run out in three of his next four innings at that World Cup as well.
Dean Jones, 1991
After being bowled by Courtney Walsh in a Test in Georgetown in 1990-91, Australia's Dean Jones mournfully set off for the pavilion, which was back behind the bowler. But it was a no-ball, so he wasn't out. Carl Hooper darted up from slip and removed the bails before Jones realised and could regain his crease, and he was given out - wrongly, as the law specifically states that you can't be run out off a no-ball unless you are attempting a run, which he obviously wasn't. But the umpire stuck to his decision and Jones had to turn round and walk off again: even the intervention of the Australian coach, Bobby Simpson - brandishing a copy of Wisden including the relevant Law - couldn't save him.
After being bowled by Courtney Walsh in a Test in Georgetown in 1990-91, Australia's Dean Jones mournfully set off for the pavilion, which was back behind the bowler. But it was a no-ball, so he wasn't out. Carl Hooper darted up from slip and removed the bails before Jones realised and could regain his crease, and he was given out - wrongly, as the law specifically states that you can't be run out off a no-ball unless you are attempting a run, which he obviously wasn't. But the umpire stuck to his decision and Jones had to turn round and walk off again: even the intervention of the Australian coach, Bobby Simpson - brandishing a copy of Wisden including the relevant Law - couldn't save him.
WG Grace and Sammy Jones, 1882
Grace, the greatest cricketer of the 19th century, wasn't above a bit of sharp practice from time to time. At The Oval in 1882, he ran out the Australian Sammy Jones after the batsman went down the pitch to do a spot of gardening, thinking the ball was dead. It wasn't, and he had to go. Wisden 1883 observed: "There was a good deal of truth in what a gentleman in the pavilion remarked, amidst some laughter, that Jones ought to thank the champion for teaching him something." This was the famous match that Australia eventually won by seven runs, giving rise to the Ashes legend.
Grace, the greatest cricketer of the 19th century, wasn't above a bit of sharp practice from time to time. At The Oval in 1882, he ran out the Australian Sammy Jones after the batsman went down the pitch to do a spot of gardening, thinking the ball was dead. It wasn't, and he had to go. Wisden 1883 observed: "There was a good deal of truth in what a gentleman in the pavilion remarked, amidst some laughter, that Jones ought to thank the champion for teaching him something." This was the famous match that Australia eventually won by seven runs, giving rise to the Ashes legend.
Dipak Patel, 1992
The former Worcestershire allrounder Patel moved from New Road to New Zealand in search of a Test cap, and eventually had a productive international career. Against England in Christchurch in 1991-92 he seemed set for a maiden Test century: on 97, he pushed the ball firmly past mid-on, and set off for the three runs he needed. The fielder was Derek Pringle, not one of England's quickest movers, and not possessed of a bullet throw either - in fact he usually bowled the ball back in from the outfield. But this time his return was a perfect one, and Patel was stranded a yard short of his hundred. And he never did score a Test century.
The former Worcestershire allrounder Patel moved from New Road to New Zealand in search of a Test cap, and eventually had a productive international career. Against England in Christchurch in 1991-92 he seemed set for a maiden Test century: on 97, he pushed the ball firmly past mid-on, and set off for the three runs he needed. The fielder was Derek Pringle, not one of England's quickest movers, and not possessed of a bullet throw either - in fact he usually bowled the ball back in from the outfield. But this time his return was a perfect one, and Patel was stranded a yard short of his hundred. And he never did score a Test century.
Colin Bland, 1965
Before Jonty, and Herschelle Gibbs, South Africa had Bland: a Rhodesian whose fielding was legendary - during the 1965 tour of England he sometimes gave demonstrations of his prowess in practice, which usually included uprooting all three stumps, one by one, with successive throws. It worked out in the middle too: in the Lord's Test he struck twice. Wisden reported: "Bland made the first of his two thrilling run-outs, hitting Barrington's stumps direct after running from midwicket towards mid-on and having barely more than one stump to aim at. Parks was another victim of the accuracy of Bland." What that report omits is that Parks tried to interpose his body between fielder and stumps, to make the run-out more difficult... but Bland merely readjusted his aim and scudded the ball under Parks' feet into the stumps anyway.
Before Jonty, and Herschelle Gibbs, South Africa had Bland: a Rhodesian whose fielding was legendary - during the 1965 tour of England he sometimes gave demonstrations of his prowess in practice, which usually included uprooting all three stumps, one by one, with successive throws. It worked out in the middle too: in the Lord's Test he struck twice. Wisden reported: "Bland made the first of his two thrilling run-outs, hitting Barrington's stumps direct after running from midwicket towards mid-on and having barely more than one stump to aim at. Parks was another victim of the accuracy of Bland." What that report omits is that Parks tried to interpose his body between fielder and stumps, to make the run-out more difficult... but Bland merely readjusted his aim and scudded the ball under Parks' feet into the stumps anyway.
Grant Elliott, 2008
Many who witnessed the Ian Bell incident at Trent Bridge cast their minds back to the closing stages of an exciting one-day international at The Oval in 2008, when New Zealand's Elliott was run out after colliding with Ryan Sidebottom, the bowler: the bails were removed while Elliott was lying on the ground in agony. In the heat of battle England declined to withdraw that appeal - and when Paul Collingwood, the acting captain, went to the opposition dressing room later to apologise, he had the door slammed in his face. Justice was probably done, though - New Zealand won with an overthrow from the final ball, with their last pair at the crease.
Many who witnessed the Ian Bell incident at Trent Bridge cast their minds back to the closing stages of an exciting one-day international at The Oval in 2008, when New Zealand's Elliott was run out after colliding with Ryan Sidebottom, the bowler: the bails were removed while Elliott was lying on the ground in agony. In the heat of battle England declined to withdraw that appeal - and when Paul Collingwood, the acting captain, went to the opposition dressing room later to apologise, he had the door slammed in his face. Justice was probably done, though - New Zealand won with an overthrow from the final ball, with their last pair at the crease.
Misbah-ul-Haq, 2007
One of the unluckiest run-outs happened to Misbah, now Pakistan's Test captain, against India in Delhi in November 2007. As he ran towards safety, Misbah spotted that he was in danger of being hit by Dinesh Karthik's throw and jumped up in the air - and although he was past the crease when the ball hit the stumps, he had nothing grounded, so was run out. Misbah departed, hitting himself on the head with his bat in frustration. He was out for 82, not far short of what would have been his first Test century - but this was not to be a case of the Dipak Patels: Misbah reached three figures in both the remaining Tests of the series.
One of the unluckiest run-outs happened to Misbah, now Pakistan's Test captain, against India in Delhi in November 2007. As he ran towards safety, Misbah spotted that he was in danger of being hit by Dinesh Karthik's throw and jumped up in the air - and although he was past the crease when the ball hit the stumps, he had nothing grounded, so was run out. Misbah departed, hitting himself on the head with his bat in frustration. He was out for 82, not far short of what would have been his first Test century - but this was not to be a case of the Dipak Patels: Misbah reached three figures in both the remaining Tests of the series.
And now a couple that weren't out:
The Twenty20 Cup final, 2010
Somerset finished second in almost everything in English county cricket in 2010 - but they would have won the Twenty20 Cup if they had known the Laws of Cricket. Hampshire needed one to win off the last ball, and their Australian import Dan Christian missed his swipe and set off for the winning leg-bye. But he had a runner - and although all three padded-up players made it safely home, the laws state that a batsman with a runner who leaves his crease can be run out even if he is safe at the other end. The umpires waited for Somerset to act and appeal... and waited... and eventually called time, giving Hampshire the trophy. "It'll probably haunt me for a few years," said Somerset's captain Marcus Trescothick. "Under pressure you've got to try and keep a cool mind - we just got wrapped up in what was going on."
Somerset finished second in almost everything in English county cricket in 2010 - but they would have won the Twenty20 Cup if they had known the Laws of Cricket. Hampshire needed one to win off the last ball, and their Australian import Dan Christian missed his swipe and set off for the winning leg-bye. But he had a runner - and although all three padded-up players made it safely home, the laws state that a batsman with a runner who leaves his crease can be run out even if he is safe at the other end. The umpires waited for Somerset to act and appeal... and waited... and eventually called time, giving Hampshire the trophy. "It'll probably haunt me for a few years," said Somerset's captain Marcus Trescothick. "Under pressure you've got to try and keep a cool mind - we just got wrapped up in what was going on."
Gerry Hazlitt, 1907-08
All the fuss about the first Tied Test in 1960-61 might have been diluted if the second match of the 1907-08 Ashes series, in Melbourne, had been a tie. And it should have been: with the scores level and nine wickets down, England's last pair tried a suicidal single. Hazlitt, playing in only his second Test, ran in from cover and picked up the ball barely 10 yards from the stumps: he probably had time to "do a Jonty", but instead threw wildly at the stumps and missed. England's No. 11, Arthur Fielder, thanked his lucky stars and made his ground to complete the one-wicket victory that levelled the series.
All the fuss about the first Tied Test in 1960-61 might have been diluted if the second match of the 1907-08 Ashes series, in Melbourne, had been a tie. And it should have been: with the scores level and nine wickets down, England's last pair tried a suicidal single. Hazlitt, playing in only his second Test, ran in from cover and picked up the ball barely 10 yards from the stumps: he probably had time to "do a Jonty", but instead threw wildly at the stumps and missed. England's No. 11, Arthur Fielder, thanked his lucky stars and made his ground to complete the one-wicket victory that levelled the series.
Steven Lynch is the editor of the Wisden Guide to International Cricket 2011