Giving them away: Most extras conceded in a Test innings in 21st century
Being a bowler in the game of cricket especially in modern-day is difficult as the rules and pitches are known to favour the batsmen more. There are times when the batsmen are successful in getting the opposition bowlers under pressure which in turn has resulted in the bowlers bowling more loose balls or giving extra runs to the batting side. In this article, let’s take a look at five occasions when the most extras were conceded in a Test innings in the 21st century.
64, South Africa vs England in 2003
South Africa and England were involved in a Test match at the Lord’s from July 31 to August 3 in 2003. South African bowlers presented a stunning show in the first innings as they bowled out England for a mere total of 173 runs. The visiting batsmen were equally good as they went all guns blazing against England and racked up a score of 682 runs. Africa was successful in putting the host bowlers under pressure as the latter leaked 64 extras. SA had registered an easy victory in that Test by an innings and 92 runs.
64, New Zealand vs Pakistan in 2021
In the second Test match against New Zealand at Christchurch in January 2021, Pakistan witnessed a collapse of their batting line-up as they were bundled out for 297 runs. The bowlers weren’t also of much help as instead of stopping the flow of runs in the second innings, they conceded 64 extra runs. Thus, New Zealand racked up a score of 659 on the back of a double-century by Kane Williamson and won the game by an innings and 176 runs.
67, New Zealand vs England in 2015
England and New Zealand were up against each other in the first Test of the two-match series at the Lord’s from May 21 to May 25, 2015. Put to bat first, England made the most out of the home conditions and posted a total of 389 on the board. In reply, New Zealand launched an assault on the opposition bowlers and racked up a score of 523 runs. England bowlers had succumbed to pressure and it was very much evident as they gave 67 free runs to the Black Caps in the form of extras. Despite the lead in the first half of the game, New Zealand lost the match by 124 runs.
74, West Indies vs England in 2009
Playing in the last match of the five-match Test series in March 2009 against West Indies, England bowlers had a bad day at office as they bowled 16 no-balls and 11 wides leaking 74 extras. Owing to the poor performance by England, West Indies managed to post a total of 544 runs on the board in reply to 546 runs posted by England in the first innings. However, the game didn’t fetch any result.
76, Pakistan vs India in 2007
India and Pakistan were up against each other in the last of the three-match series at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Batting first, India, under the leadership of Anil Kumble, racked up a mammoth total of 626 runs on the board on the back of a scintillating knock of 239 runs by Sourav Ganguly. However, the hosts didn’t have a perfect outing while bowling as they leaked as many as 76 extra runs while conceding a whopping 537 runs. The Indian bowlers had bowled 15 no-balls that day. Meanwhile, the game resulted in a draw.
