David Lloyd's 'We Flippin' Murdered Em' — Bulawayo Test, 1996

1996-12-22·Zimbabwe vs England·1st Test, England tour of Zimbabwe 1996·2 min read·Severity: Mild

Summary

The first Test between Zimbabwe and England at Bulawayo in December 1996 ended in a draw with the scores level — the first ever in Test history. Coach David 'Bumble' Lloyd, frustrated by Zimbabwe's defensive tactics, told a press conference 'we flippin' murdered em'. He was reprimanded by the ECB.

Background

Zimbabwe were a new Test nation. England were the established power but had been performing poorly throughout the 1990s. David Lloyd had taken over as coach in 1996 after Ray Illingworth's controversial spell.

Build-Up

Zimbabwe 376 in their first innings (Andy Flower 112). England 406. Zimbabwe 234 in the second. England chasing 205 with the last day to play.

What Happened

England toured Zimbabwe — newly minted as a Test nation — in November-December 1996. The first Test at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo was Zimbabwe's first home Test. Zimbabwe batted first and made 376 (Andy Flower 112, David Houghton 84). England 406. Zimbabwe 234 in their second innings (Flower 64). England were set 205 in the final innings. They needed 3 off the final ball. Nick Knight took two off the penultimate ball and was run out attempting a third off the last ball. The match ended in a draw with the scores level — a first in Test history. England coach David Lloyd, frustrated by Zimbabwean negative bowling lines (wide leg-side fields, well outside off), told a press conference: 'We flippin' murdered em.' Zimbabwe took offence. The ECB chairman, Lord MacLaurin, flew to Zimbabwe to formally reprimand Lloyd. 'Bumble' later titled his autobiography 'Anything but Murder' as an ironic nod to the moment.

Key Moments

Final over: England need 13 off 6

Knight scores progressively to take it to 3 off the last ball

Last ball: Knight runs two, attempts a third, run out

Match drawn with scores level — first ever in Test history

Press conference: David Lloyd says 'we flippin' murdered em'

ECB chairman Lord MacLaurin flies to Zimbabwe to reprimand Lloyd

Timeline

December 18-22, 1996

Test at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.

Final over

England score level; Knight run out off the last ball.

Post-match

David Lloyd's 'we flippin' murdered em' comment.

December 2000

Lloyd autobiography 'Anything but Murder' published.

Notable Quotes

“We flippin' murdered em.”
— David Lloyd, post-match press conference

“If you don't laugh at yourself, the press will do it for you.”
— David Lloyd (later)

Aftermath

Zimbabwe drew the second Test as well — series 0-0. Lloyd survived the reprimand and remained England coach until 1999. His autobiography 'Anything but Murder' (2000) made the line a deliberate joke. The Bulawayo Test is the first Test in history to end in a tie of scores without a result (Lawrie Marsh's tied Test at Brisbane 1960 was a different category).

⚖️ The Verdict

An iconic gaffe and one of the most charming coaching moments of the 1990s — but also a diplomatic incident that nearly cost Lloyd his job. England did not, in fact, murder anyone.

Legacy & Impact

'We flippin' murdered em' became one of cricket's most quoted coaching lines. Lloyd, after his coaching career, became one of the most beloved Sky Sports commentators of the 2000s and 2010s. He has joked about the moment in nearly every public appearance since.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Lloyd say 'we murdered them'?▾

He was frustrated that Zimbabwe had played defensively in the final overs — wide leg-side fields, deliberately wasted time. From his perspective, England had effectively dominated the match without translating it to a win.

Was it the first tied Test?▾

It was the first Test where the chasing team finished level on runs but with wickets in hand — formally a draw with scores level. Tied Tests proper (Brisbane 1960, Madras 1986) are different — both teams all out for the same score.

Related Incidents

😂Mild

Michael Angelow — First Lord's Streaker, 1975 Ashes

England vs Australia

4 August 1975

On 4 August 1975, during the second Ashes Test at Lord's, a 24-year-old merchant seaman from Liverpool named Michael Angelow leapt the boundary fence wearing only socks and trainers, hurdled both sets of stumps to the amusement of the players, and was wrestled to the ground by police. He had taken a £20 bet from his shipmates. He was fined £20 in court the next morning, and the BBC commentary by John Arlott — "we have got a freaker, not very shapely, and it is masculine — and I would think it has seen the last of its cricket for the day" — became one of the most replayed pieces of cricket commentary of the decade.

#Michael Angelow#streaker#Lord's

😂Mild

Greg Chappell's Four Ducks in a Row — Australian Summer 1981-82

Australia

1981-12-12

Australian captain Greg Chappell, the most prolific batsman in the country, made four ducks in a row across Tests and ODIs during the 1981-82 home summer — and seven ducks across the season — earning the temporary nickname 'Chappello'.

#greg-chappell#australia#ducks

😂Moderate

Father Time Falls — A Barrage-Balloon Cable at Lord's, 1944

n/a (ground incident)

1944-09-01

Late in the 1944 wartime season at Lord's, a steel cable from a barrage balloon moored on the Nursery Ground broke loose in a wind and snagged the iconic Father Time weather-vane on top of the Grand Stand. The cable wrapped around the figure, brought it down and deposited Father Time among the front-row seats below. The most high-profile damage to Lord's during the Second World War, MCC's curators noted, came not from the Luftwaffe but from one of London's own air-defence balloons.

#lords#father-time#wwii