Did you know that 5 great bowlers in cricket have never done a single no-ball in their test and ODI career?
It is common for bowlers to cross the popping crease in the game of cricket, giving the opposing team an extra run in Test matches and a run accessible in the limited overs format. Since the start of the free hit, the bowlers have become very cautious about having a no-ball. They are aware of the fact that one no-ball can ruin the whole over for them.
What is a No Ball in Cricket?
In cricket, a “no-ball” refers to an illegal delivery bowled by a bowler. It is considered a penalty imposed by the umpire for various reasons. When a no-ball is bowled, the batting team is awarded one run, and the delivery is not counted as one of the legitimate deliveries of the over. Additionally, if the batsman gets out on a no-ball (except in certain circumstances like run-out or hit-wicket), they are not considered out and continue to bat.
A no-ball can be called for several reasons, including:
- Front Foot No-Ball: If the bowler’s front foot lands beyond the crease (the white line at the end of the pitch) while delivering the ball, it is deemed a front-foot no-ball.
- Height No-Ball: If the ball bounces above waist height of the batsman on the full, it is considered a height no-ball.
- Full Toss Above Waist Height: If a full toss delivery is above waist height of the batsman, it is called a no-ball.
- Breaking the Wicket During Delivery: If the bowler accidentally knocks down the stumps at the non-striker’s end during the delivery stride, it can result in a no-ball.
- Law Infractions: Various other factors, such as having too many fielders outside the permissible fielding circle in limited-overs cricket or deliberate tampering with the ball, can also lead to a no-ball being called.
The concept of a no-ball ensures fair play, safety, and adherence to the rules of the game.
Some bowlers in the world of cricket have done the impossible and unimaginable task of not bowling a single no-ball in their entire career. This is a great achievement.
Some of the legends have made their name on this list, let’s take a look at the five bowlers who have never bowled a single no-ball
List of Bowlers who have Never Bowled a Single No-Ball
Here’s a look at 5 legendary cricketers who never bowled a no-ball in their careers.
1. Imran Khan
Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan is one of the great all-rounders who never bowled a single no-ball. The right-handed fast bowler played 88 Tests and 175 ODIs, taking 362 wickets at an average of 22.81 in Test matches and 182 wickets at an average of 26.61 in the ODI format.
| Bowler | Format | 100s | 50s | Wickets | Bowling Avg | Economy | 5W | 10W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imran Khan | Tests | 6 | 18 | 362 | 22.81 | 2.66 | 23 | 6 |
| ODIs | 1 | 19 | 182 | 26.61 | 3.90 | 1 | 0 |
In all formats, Imran bowled many numbers balls for Pakistan after the other two great players Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram at 26,919. In 263 matches and 295 innings, he did not bowl no-balls in any format.
Imran made his debut in 1971 and last appeared in international cricket in the 1992 World Cup final where he led his team to the title. In his long career of 21 years, Imran has never crossed the popping crease.
Imran also won the World Cup for his country as both all-rounders also made their name in the history books for not throwing a no-ball. Like the four names mentioned above, Imran also achieved this milestone while being a fast bowler which is a very difficult task.
2. Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev, one of India’s best all-rounders, has never crossed the popping crease in his 16-year international career.
| Bowler | Format | 100s | 50s | Wickets | Bowling Avg | Economy | 5W | 10W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kapil Dev | Tests | 8 | 27 | 434 | 29.65 | 2.78 | 23 | 2 |
| ODIs | 1 | 14 | 253 | 27.45 | 3.72 | 1 | 0 |
He bowled the third-highest number of balls for India in all formats after Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh at 38,942 and did not bowl a single no-ball. Kapil took 687 wickets in 356 matches and 448 innings.
3. Lan Botham
Prominent England all-rounder Lan Botham played 102 Tests and 116 ODIs.
| Bowler | Format | 100s | 50s | Wickets | Bowling Avg | Economy | 5W | 10W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Botham | Tests | 14 | 22 | 383 | 28.40 | 3.06 | 27 | 4 |
| ODIs | 0 | 9 | 145 | 28.54 | 4.01 | 0 | 0 |
He took 383 wickets in Tests and 145 wickets in ODIs. Notably, Botham has the third-highest number of balls for England after James Anderson and Stuart Broad, at 28,086. His career spanned 16 years, but he did not score a single no-ball.
4. Dennis Lillee
Dennis Lillee, the fourth-highest wicket-taker for Australia in Test history, played 70 Tests and 63 ODIs for his country.
| Bowler | Format | 100s | 50s | Wickets | Bowling Avg | Economy | 5W | 10W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Lillee | Tests | 0 | 1 | 355 | 23.92 | 2.99 | 23 | 7 |
| ODIs | 0 | 0 | 103 | 20.82 | 3.60 | 1 | 0 |
In Test matches, Lilly took 355 wickets at an average of 23.92 and bowled an excellent 7/83. The right-handed fast bowler has bowled 18,467 balls in 132 Test innings and 3593 balls in 63 ODI innings but has not bowled a single no-ball, making him one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.
5. Lance Gibbs
He is the only and last bowler to be a spinner on the list. Former West Indies spinner Lance Gibbs appeared in 79 Tests and three ODIs, taking 309 Test wickets in 148 innings, the fourth of the West Indies bowlers.
| Bowler | Format | 100s | 50s | Wickets | Bowling Avg | Economy | 5W | 10W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lance Gibbs | Tests | 0 | 0 | 309 | 29.09 | 2.14 | 18 | 2 |
| ODIs | 0 | 0 | 2 | 47.50 | 2.27 | 0 | 0 |
Gibbs took just two wickets in three ODIs. He made his Test debut in 1958 and last appeared in a Test match in 1976.
Gibbs, who bowled 27,271 balls, is third in all formats for West Indies bowlers after Courtney Walsh and Kirtley Ambrose, the first right-arm off-break bowler to cross the 300-wicket milestone in Tests. ۔
One of the most successful bowlers in the history of West Indies cricket, Gibbs bowled 27, 271 balls in 151 innings in both formats and did not bowl a single no-ball.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the cricketers who have never bowled a no-ball in their international careers include Lance Gibbs, Ian Botham, Imran Khan, Dennis Lillee, and Kapil Dev.
Not bowling a no-ball in international cricket is a remarkable feat that showcases a bowler’s exceptional control and precision. It reflects their ability to consistently maintain their bowling discipline and adhere to the strictest standards on the field.
Cricket has given us many great bowlers who have made the game more exciting with their bowling performances and also instilled fear in the batsmen with their hard balls.
These were the top 5 bowlers who never bowled during their international careers, which isn’t as easy as it sounds. The accuracy and talent they possess have made them some of the best bowlers of all time in the game, and these are the qualities that players of the T20 era should learn from.
