THE SHARPE END: Bazball’s no ball issue – England have bowled more than any other nation

Ben Stokes did not even bother to celebrate. Pat Cummins top-edged the 2,657th bouncer of the afternoon to Harry Brook, the rest of the England team celebrated but Stokes knew what he had done. 

He had over-stepped again. Another no ball. It is becoming an issue for England. 

Since Brendon McCullum and Stokes took over as coach and captain, England have bowled more no balls than any other Test nation — and by a long way more than double the next closest team and far more per match than the nearest offender.

Stokes is the biggest front-foot culprit. The question is, why are England so bad? 

It has not always been this way. In only three years of the last 18 years have they bowled more no balls than the average of all Test nations — and two of them are the last two years. 

England have bowled more no balls than any other Test nation since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took over

Captain Stokes is currently the biggest offender for no balls in the England attack

England’s no-ball bowling has cost them a number of wickets – including two in the Ashes

Jonathan Agnew suggested on Test Match Special that it was emblematic of England’s casual attitude — but no balls were still an issue when they were buzzing around and winning games.

Others suggested it was the Lord’s slope after Cameron Green bowled six no balls in one spell during England’s first innings, including what should have been Joe Root’s wicket. Yet England are historically far worse at other grounds.

With third umpires now often in charge of checking the front foot, there has been a general no ball rise over the past couple of years but England’s has soared much higher, nearly 12.5 for 2023 alone.