Which Bowler Never Bowled a No-Ball Despite Playing Over 100 Tests?
Test cricket is a format where even the bowlers require patience. While various greatest bowlers have stepped more from the bowling crease, there is one who hasn't. Even after bowling 34,000 balls in this format, a player is yet to bowl a no ball.
Test cricket is a format which demands two things, which includes discipline and precision. These two things are hard to be achieved by the bowlers, as even the greatest of all-time have bowled no balls in their history. The front foot no balls have been common in this format, even for bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc, and more.
But there is one bowler who is yet to bowl a front foot no ball in the Test format. And it is none other than the Australian legend, Nathan Lyon. As of June 2026, Nathan Lyon has bowled 34832 legal deliveries in his Test career, and he has also managed to take an impressive total of 567 wickets in 141 Test matches.
And the best part about his test career is that he is yet to bowl a front foot no ball. He made his test debut back in 2011 against Sri Lanka, where his maiden Test wicket came in the form of Kumar Sangakkara. Eventually, he was also able to take his maiden five-wicket haul in the first ever Test innings he had played.
He finished by taking 6 wickets for the Australian team in his maiden Test match, allowing them to win the game with ease. Pacers often struggle with the line and length, which causes them to overstep and cause a no ball to happen. This has also been common with the spinners in this format.
But for Nathan Lyon, it seems that he has mastered bowling in the longest format of the game. This remarkable control reflects Lyon’s professionalism, work ethic, and deep understanding of his craft.