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Test cricket has long been considered the highest level of the game, testing all areas of a player’s game. Test matches assess bowlers’ and batters’ character. All players’ tolerance, emotions, and endurance are tested during Test Cricket. Battling for five days, players make mistakes that cost their sides; extras, committed by bowlers to the opposition as wides, no balls, or maybe disallowed wickets owing to illegal deliveries. Some of the bowlers who bowled no balls in test cricket are listed below:
Bret Lee
Brett Lee, a former Australian bowler, was renowned as one of the quickest bowlers; yet, rather than focusing solely on pace, Lee utilized a variety of deliveries with the hope of dismissing the hitters. Many illicit deliveries contributed to his ability to produce speed through runups. In 72 test matches for Australia, Lee bowled 472 no-balls.
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Fidel Edwards
After being seen in the nets by Brian Lara, Edwards struggled to realize his actual talent in the long term; despite a promising start, Edward’s career was marred by massive injuries. He liked to bowl aggressively and generate pace with his runup, which caused him to overstep 325 times in 325 test matches for the West Indies.
Also Read: 11 Unbreakable Test Cricket Records Will Blow Your Mind
Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma, a 6 ft 4-inch Indian bowler, began his test career at the age of 18. Ishant has been one of the fastest Indian bowlers; attempting to pound the wicket hard, Ishant frequently overstepped; Ishant finished his red ball career for India with 314 no-balls in 105 test matches.
Zaheer Khan
When India’s bowling lineup was struggling, Zaheer Khan came to the rescue. He was criticised for his ability to swing the bowl both ways, making it difficult for the hitter to score runs against him. In 92 test matches for India, Zaheer conceded a significant number of runs through extras, including 299 no-balls.
Shaun Pollock
Pollock, a former South African pacer, captained South Africa in all formats. Shaun Pollock, a genuine all-rounder, led South African bowling from the front; when it came to bowling legal deliveries, Pollock retired from tests with 289 no-balls in 108 tests for South Africa.
Andrew Flintoff
Andrew Flintoff, the great British all-rounder, had been a steady player for England in all forms of cricket. Flintoff bowled at a consistent velocity of 90 mph, and his primary strategy evolved into holding back length and wearing the batsman down. Flintoff’s red-ball career featured 279 no-balls in 79 England tests.
Also Read: Test records: Top 10 fastest centuries in Test cricket
Morne Morkel
Morkel, a former South African speedster, caused the hitters problems with his pace and bounce. His height offered him an advantage over the batter, and he never failed to capitalise on it. However, his actual performance came at the expense of 234 no-balls in 86 test matches while playing for South Africa.
Chaminda Vaas
Vaas, a former Sri Lankan bowler, was recognized for his precision and steady line and length, which troubled batters; nonetheless, Vaas frequently overstepped, allowing the team to score runs. Vaas concluded his red ball career with 262 no-balls after 111 test matches for Sri Lanka.
Shanon Gabriel
Shanon Gabriel, a Caribbean bowler, was a fantastic left-arm fast bowler. He quickly established himself as an important member of the West Indies test team. Gabriel bowled 224 no-balls in 58 test matches for the West Indies, causing a difficulty for the squad.
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga, the famed Sri Lankan speedster, averaged nearly a no-ball in every test match; nicknamed “Slinga Malinga” due to his unorthodox round-arm motion, Malinga’s approach transformed the dynamics of cricket bowling. With his constant pace and startling bouncers and yorkers, he developed the reputation of scaring batters. In 30 test matches for Sri Lanka, he bowled 224 no-balls.
