2017 Records: Most Number of Extras in an ODI Innings

Cricket has undoubtedly become a batsman’s game as they have been dominating the bowlers and have been tormenting them with their hard-hitting ability. The credit must be given to the batsman as well for their improved skills over the years, but more credit should be given to the governing body ICC for tilting the game more in favour of the batsman with the regular rule changes helping the batsman even more.

Bowlers have not done any good to themselves as well with their indiscipline and waivered bowling. This year saw many high scores being scored and the bowlers had a huge role to play as they helped the opposition teams by giving away extras. South Africa, India, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Australia top the list of giving the most extras in ODI innings.

South Africa are at number fifth for giving away 24 extras in an innings against Sri Lanka in Centurion when the Lankans toured the rainbow nation early this year. However, the extras did not hurt the hosts much as they were the eventual winners of the match. South Africa posted a huge score of 384/6 batting first. Sri Lanka could only score 296/8 and lost the match by 88 runs. The hosts also won the five-match series 5-0.

India gave away 25 runs in the famous Champions Trophy final against the arch-rivals Pakistan. India came into the match as favourites, but Pakistan’s counter-attacking cricket helped them defeat India by a huge margin of 180 runs. Next comes Ireland, who also gave away 25 extras in a match against Afghanistan when the two teams came to India to play a bilateral series in March.

Zimbabwe had an impressive 2017 as they defeated Sri Lanka 3-2 in the five-match series in Sri Lanka. In the deciding match of the five-match series, Zimbabwe gave away 27 extras. Australia tops the list as they gave away 29 extras against New Zealand in Auckland and lost the match by six runs.