Anecdote for the Day

From Byter David B, in England . . . 

Your story about Frank Hayes winning a horse race whilst dead reminds me of a story told by Herbert Farjeon about a village cricketer. 

Whilst facing a fast bowler he was struck on the head by a bouncer and killed, the ball dropping omto the wicket, breaking it. The question which was earnestly debated between umpire and scorer was whether he had been killed instantly in which case he would be recorded as retired (dead) or whether he survived for a few second in which case he would be out (bowled). This was crucial because it determined whether the batsman's lifetime average was above or below 50. 

HF does not reword the result of the enquiry.

Thanks, David.