Modern-day cricket is becoming a batters' game because of fast pace scores and flat pitch conditions. Apart from pitches, technology also plays a vital role in support of batters. However, some bowlers are still dominating in the gentlemen's game but their worst nightmare is bowling a no-ball because that will reward a free hit to the batter on the crease. Technology made it easier to judge whether a delivery is legal or illegal. We often witnessed a bowler like Brett Lee and Shaun Tait getting punished by the batter on a free hit. We often see a list of bowlers claiming that they have never bowled a no-ball. Today in Sports Tak we will burst this myth.
Here are the bowlers who never bowled a no-ball in their whole international career.
Lance Gibbs bowled a no-ball
In Peter Oborne’s seminal book on Pakistani cricket, Wounded Tigers, a notable incident is highlighted involving Shakoor Rana, who had officiated in fourteen Test matches, three of which were marred by controversies. One such controversy occurred during his very first Test match as an umpire, held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in the 1974-75 series. In this match, the West Indian spinner Lance Gibbs—renowned for his nearly impeccable bowling action and a veteran off-spinner who had rarely been called for a no-ball—made a notable protest against Rana’s no-ball call. This incident underscored the tension and scrutiny that can surround umpiring decisions at the highest level of cricket.
Kapil Dev's no-ball myth
I have often seen articles and copies claiming that India's first World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev never bowled a no-ball in his career but that all the fake information. Kapil had bowled a no-ball in the first over he bowled in Test cricket. All the information regarding Kapi Dev's no-ball theory is wrong.
Imran Khan's no-ball myth
The former Pakistan captain is also in the tally but again that was also a myth. Imran's last international match was the 1992 World Cup final, where the scorecard has a neat ‘1’ under the NB column against his name.
Ian Botham's no-ball
The situation involving Ian Botham and umpire Alan Whitehead is well-documented. In Simon Wilde's biography of Botham, he recounts an incident where Botham's frustration boiled over. After Whitehead had turned down an LBW appeal against Greg Ritchie, Botham attempted to bounce out the Australian batter. When Ritchie was eventually dismissed off a delivery that Whitehead called a no-ball, Botham, who was known for his rare no-ball infractions, lost his temper in response.
Additionally, it's evident from newspaper records that Botham's frustrations with no-ball decisions were not isolated incidents. A check of the scorecard in The Canberra Times from September 3, 1985, reveals that Botham bowled two no-balls on the final day of the 1985 Ashes Test. This instance corroborates the fact that Botham had indeed been called for no-balls during his career, aligning with the account of his anger in Wilde’s biography.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
'I think we should not blame players': Danish Kaneria backs Pakistan cricketers after Bangladesh loss
'He discussed with me about dismissing Warner': India veteran spinner reveals Rohit Sharma's mind working overtime
