London: The International Cricket Council on Thursday said match referee Clive Llyod had identified "several" players whose bats were slightly wider than permitted in a random inspection ahead of the World Cup tie between India and Zimbabwe at Harare.

The inspection - carried out before the start of the match found that bats belonging to players from both sides slightly exceeded the maximum width of 4.25 inches that is allowed under the laws of Cricket," the ICC said in a statement.

ICC said all the bats were adjusted to within the legal parametres before the start of play.

"The ICC will continue its random bat inspection programme throughout the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003," it said without mentioning what penalty a breach of law would carry.

Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag were among seven cricketers whose bats were found to be five millimetres broader than prescribed limits.

Extras:
Match referee finds Saurav, Sehwag using bigger bats