When gutsy ‘extras’ top scored for Australia and England against mighty West Indies

Once upon a time, the West Indies had a bowling attack that would demolish the best of batting attacks irrespective of the weather conditions or wickets. The fast bowlers just didn't pick up wickets, but were miserly and also posed threat for possible physical damages. All these were a recipe for a destruction as they had the ability to make the leather talk.

Sometimes, they could wayward too. Looking at the first scorecard, it was a Test played in March 1986 at Port of Spain. In what was the second Test of the series, England were bowled out for 315 and the top scorer for them was 'extras'. Malcolm Marshall and Courtney Walsh picked up four wickets each, but the West Indian bowlers had bowled 27 no balls, one wide, given away 20 byes and 11 leg byes. In total, 59 runs came in extras, England skipper David Gower's 47 was the next best. However, that didn't help as England still went on to lose by seven wickets.

Coming to the second scorecard, it was again a Test played in West Indies, six years later in March 1991. This time the venue was Georgetown and the opposition were Australia. Again it was the second Test of the series and in Australia's second innings, the West Indian bowlers bowled 28 no balls, two wides, gave away 17 byes and six leg byes. The visitors were bowled out for 248 and Marshall was again the best bowler, picking up three wickets. Extras, with 53, was not only the highest scorer but also prevented Australia from going down to an innings defeat. Wicketkeeper Ian Healy was next best with 47. West Indies went on to win the Test by ten wickets.

'Extras' did try its best but couldn't avert a defeat for both England and Australia.