Throughout the years, there have been a few happenings in the beautiful game of cricket that have left the viewers flabbergasted. The best example is the unbelievable comeback of Rajshahi Divison against Chittagong Divison from 77/6 to 675/9. Another one can be Sir Don Bradman’s blitzkrieg – 100 runs in just 3 overs in a match between the two local Australian teams Blackheath and Lithgow. (Read more HERE)
Such instances don’t get a mention till the time till the time they are being brought into frame by something or somebody. Just like the above two, there is one more surprising instance where a team got all out for zero while chasing a meagre target of 81, and it was a match that took place between two local cricket clubs in England (Glastonbury and Langport) in 1913.
The game took place on Whit Monday (May 25). While batting first, Glastonbury were skittled out for 80 by HE Cozens and J Lang. While defending, C Baily and A Lisk ran through Langport’s batting and took three and seven wickets respectively without conceding a run and as a result of this, Langport lost the match by 80 runs. A tale of 11 ducks!
Langport’s woeful efforts emerged 98 years later (in 2011) because Toby Strang, the club’s archivist, decided that the side of 1913 ought to have some sort of recognition.
“The scorecard from the day has been in the clubhouse for years and we thought it was about time it was recognised by Wisden [Cricketers’ Almanack] or Guinness World Records,” he said.
“I started playing for the club in 1965 and there’s never been anything like that since then. I think the lowest score was 18 but the conditions that day were appalling for batsmen.
“How can a team be out for zero? We don’t know the weather or conditions that day but it beggars belief the team didn’t even score an extra.”
A local newspaper cutting from the day reported that the score “caused quite an amusing sensation” among the spectators.
Here is the scorecard of the match:
Glastonbury: CAH Baily b Cozens 34; A Lisk c Knight b Lang 6; GJ Ingram run out 1; B Giblett hit wkt b Cozens 8; HS Baily not out 9; H Baily b Cozens 0; W Davis b Lang 10; A Lukins run out 4; G Edwards lbw b Cozens 0; J Pompey run out 4; T Wickham b Cozens 1; Extras 3, Total 80
Langport: C J Manley lbw b Lisk 0; FJ Pittard b Lisk 0; J Lang lbw b Lisk 0; A Knight c Lukins b Lisk 0; WE Brister b C Baily 0; HE Cozens b Lisk 0; HG Stigings lbw b Lisk 0; HB Hamm b C Baily 0; L Parker b C Baily 0; H Weaver not out 0; F Burningham b Lisk 0; Total 0
