Thorniest maybe, but ones unwilling to strike (2-7)

I believe the answer is:

no-hitters

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'ones unwilling to strike' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'thorniest maybe' is the wordplay.
'maybe' indicates an anagram.
'thorniest' is an anagram of 'NO-HITTERS'.

'but' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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