Avalanche of extras Click here for more on this story Posted: Thursday May 20, 1999 11:03 AM   Zimbabwe's Henry Olonga bowled six wides and a no ball in his first three overs before finishing India off taking three wickets without any extra extras. AP LEICESTER, England (AP) -- With tight umpiring, loose bowling and a white ball that bowlers struggle to keep on line, the cricket World Cup is serving up extra extras. Playing Zimbabwe Wednesday in its second Group A match, India conceded a record 50 extras including 21 wides and 15 no balls. Pakistan previously held the dubious honor for their 42 extras against New Zealand in 1995. Zimbabwe managed to secure a thrilling three-run victory despite bowling almost as badly. The Africans conceded 39 extras including 24 wides and 10 no balls. "I've never seen so many extras in one game," Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell said. "Early on we bowled terribly, there is no other word for it." Extras were second top scorer for Zimbabwe and third top for India. Ajit Agarkar was India's worst offender with four wides and five no balls in his figures of one for 70 from nine overs. For Zimbabwe, Henry Olonga bowled six wides and a no ball in his first three overs before coming back to finish India off with three wickets -- and no extras -- when he was asked to bowl the penultimate over of India's innings. It is not just that the bowling was bad -- umpires are under orders to punish bowlers who stray wide on either the leg or the off side. Add to that the Duke-manufactured white cricket balls, which -- beleaguered bowlers insist -- swing more than other balls, and the result was inevitable. "All the teams are suffering," Campbell said. "In the end the team which gets it right will go on and win the tournament." He said there was nothing special about the ball. "I thought we had got to grips with the ball in the practice matches with genuine swing bowlers you're prepared to concede some wides but 20-30 is ridiculous."   Related information Stories South Africans refuse to comment on umpiring Sri Lanka admits to selection blunder South Africa bowls over Sri Lanka to win by 89 runs Zimbabwe defeats India by three runs Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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