Bishen's miserly spell of bowling

Q&A

Q. Recently David Wells became only the 15th baseball player ever to pitch a "perfect game"; no hits, no runs, no errors, no walks. Has any bowler ever done the equivalent in cricket - i.e. bowled a full allocation of overs in a limited-overs match, without conceding a run or any extras?

A. In the inaugural 1975 World Cup, India's Bishen Bedi bowled his allocation of 12 overs consecutively against East Africa at Headingley and conceded just six runs as they made 120. However, the man of the match award went to India's wicketkeeper Farouk Engineer.

K Maguire, Batley

Q. Why aren't colts allowed in the Oaks, but fillies allowed in the Derby? Isn't this a form of equine sexism?

A. Fillies take longer to mature than colts and are, in general, weaker than their male counterparts in spring and early summer so are given their own two classics, the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks. Later in the year they have matured sufficiently to tackle the colts. The 2,000 Guineas, the Derby and the St Leger, the other three English classics are held open to both sexes so that exceptional fillies can take on the males. Three fillies, Sceptre (1902), Formosa (1868) and Crucifix (1840) won both the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas - though in those days the races were held several days apart - and Sceptre also went on to win the Oaks and the St Leger. Four fillies have won both the Oaks and the Derby.

S Maxwell , Newmarket

Answers please

Q. Geoff Hurst was knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Who are the other footballing knights of the realm?

D Haycock, Bournemouth

Q. Lee Westwood registered 40 under par for eight consecutive rounds of golf when winning the Deutsche Bank Open and the NCR English Open during the past fortnight. Is this a record return for two consecutive tournaments on the European Tour, or indeed any tour?

C Adrin, Birmingham

Q. The Scotland goalkeeper, Jim Leighton, at 39, is the oldest player at France 98. Who is the oldest to have played in the World Cup finals? And who is the youngest?

S Clark, Glasgow

If 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