Cricket is a game of uncertainties and just one little mistake can cost any team the whole match, be it misfielding, a wrong shot-selection or a No-Ball. In recent times, we have seen many teams losing a cricket match with a particular no ball being the biggest reason and Indian Cricket Team has been the one that has suffered a lot from this mistakes.
Take the T20 World Cup for consideration, India was out due to the two ‘no ball’ being bowled by Ashwin and Pandya. Jasprit Bumrah is also another bowler from the Indian squad who shares a relationship with No Ball. Recently, Jasprit Bumrah bowled a no-ball during the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final that costed India the tournament.
In modern day cricket, every time a bowler over steps the line, the other team is given one extra run as well as a free hit, and after the introduction of ‘free hit’, stepping out of the line has become an even critical offense than what it was before. Maybe that is the reason why a step back from the line of attack is advised to the Bowling attack in practice sessions.
However, there are some bowlers who played a lot of international cricket countries but never bowled a no-ball for their respective countries. They are the legends every bowler should look onto as they have emerged as the ultimate perfectionist, when it comes to bowling.
Here Are 5 Best Bowlers Who Never Bowled A No Ball In Their Respective International Careers
1. Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev is a former Indian Cricketer and one of the finest all rounder that the country has ever produced. The highlight of his career was taking the Indian side to its first ever World Cup in 1983.
Batting Career
Tests
Matches: 131, Innings: 184, Runs: 5248, Highest Score: 163, 100’s: 8, 50’s: 27
One Day Internationals
Matches: 225, Innings: 198, Runs: 3783, Highest Score: 175, 100’s: 1, 50’s: 14
Bowling Career
Tests
Matches: 131, Innings: 227, Wickets: 434, Economy: 2.78, 5W: 23, 10W: 2
One Day Internationals
Matches: 225, Innings: 221, Wickets: 253, Economy: 3.72, 5W: 1, 10W: 0
2. Ian Botham – Best Bowlers
He is a former English cricketer and was one of the greatest all-rounders of his era.
Batting Career
Tests
Matches: 102, Innings: 161, Runs: 5200, Highest Score: 208, 100’s: 14, 50’s: 22
One Day Internationals
Matches: 116, Innings: 106, Runs: 2113, Highest Score: 79, 100’s: 0, 50’s: 9
Bowling Career
Tests
Matches: 102, Innings: 168, Wickets: 383, Economy: 3.06, 5W: 27, 10W: 4
One Day Internationals
Matches: 116, Innings: 115, Wickets: 145, Economy: 4.01, 5W: 0, 10W: 0
Also Read: 5 Cricket Records That Are Unlikely To Be Broken Ever
3. Imran Khan
Imran Khan is a former Pakistani cricketer, and current politician, who was one of the best bowlers the nation has ever produced. His achievements still inspire many youngsters as he cemented Pakistan cricket team’s position on an International level.
Batting Career
Tests
Matches: 88, Innings: 126, Runs: 3807, Highest Score: 136, 100’s: 6, 50’s: 18
One Day Internationals
Matches: 175, Innings: 151, Runs: 3709, Highest Score: 102, 100’s: 1, 50’s: 19
Bowling Career
Tests
Matches: 88, Innings: 142, Wickets: 362, Economy: 2.66, 5W: 23, 10W: 6
One Day Internationals
Matches: 175, Innings: 153, Wickets: 182, Economy: 3.90, 5W: 1, 10W: 0
4. Dennis Lillee – Best Bowlers
Dennis Lillee is regarded as one of the most disciplined bowlers from Australia. Despite being a fast bowler, he never compromised the line and length of his deliveries, making him a demon of every batsman’s dreams.
Batting Career
Tests
Matches: 70, Innings: 90, Runs: 905, Highest Score: 73, 100’s: 0, 50’s: 1
One Day Internationals
Matches: 63, Innings: 34, Runs: 240, Highest Score: 42, 100’s: 0, 50’s: 0
Bowling Career
Tests
Matches: 70, Innings: 132, Wickets: 355, Economy: 2.99, 5W: 23, 10W: 7
One Day Internationals
Matches: 63, Innings: 63, Wickets: 103, Economy: 3.60, 5W: 1, 10W: 0
5. Lance Gibbs
From the early 80’s to the early 90’s West Indies ruled International Cricket and their pace bowling attack was the one to beat. However, Lance Gibbs, a spinner, emerged and become one of the most successful bowlers in Test cricket.
Batting Career
Tests
Matches: 79, Innings: 109, Runs: 488, Highest Score: 25, 100’s: 0, 50’s: 0
One Day Internationals
Matches: 3, Innings: 1, Runs: 0, Highest Score: 0, 100’s: 0, 50’s: 0
Bowling Career
Tests
Matches: 79, Innings: 148, Wickets: 309, Economy: 2.14, 5W: 18, 10W: 2
One Day Internationals
Matches: 3, Innings: 3, Wickets: 2, Economy: 2.27, 5W: 0, 10W: 0
Cricket has given us many greats in the bowling department which made the game even more exciting with their distinctive bowling performances as well as creating fear among batsmen with their hard-hitting deliveries.
These were the 5 Best Bowlers Who Never Bowled A No Ball During Their International Careers, which is not an achievement as easy at it might sound. The precision and talent they possessed made them some of the all-time great in the batting-dominated sport and these are the ones, from which the players of T20 era has to learn.