Well I never!

Well, you learn something every day.  I was watching the test match the other day when I heard the commentator say "...now that we no longer have runners..." and I thought WHAT??!!  But it's a fact - the authorities banned the use of runners in international matches back in 2011.  The suggestion was that the rule which allowed this was being misused, and batsmen who were merely tired, or suffering from cramp, were being allowed runners, when the rule was meant to cover batsmen who were physically unable to run for whatever reason.  The alternative is for such a batsmen to "retire hurt" and to resume their inning later, if they are able.