“This caveat was required to put a stop to the sort of antics that Yorkshire indulged in during a desperate run chase in 1977. Barrie Leadbeater was crocked but despite six dismissed batsmen being available as runners, captain Geoff Boycott sent out the athletic Colin Johnson who not only was a regular sprinter, according to The Times, but also their 12th man.”
In November’s issue of The Cricketer, Steve Pittard assesses what has been lost as the ICC outlaws the use of runners.