10 Fastest Cricket Bowlers in History
Cricket players vary in terms of skill. Skills can vary from player to player, but there is one skill that makes bowlers stand out in a game. If you are not familiar with the term, bowlers are players who throw the ball toward the batsman, trying to get them out. They use various techniques and speeds to make it difficult for the batsman to hit the ball effectively.
Because of this, certain bowlers are much faster than others. Over the years there are cricket players that have achieved record speeds when they bowled. The following player is some of the fastest bowlers in cricket history.
Shane Bond (156.4 km/hr.)
Shane Bond was a renowned fast bowler from New Zealand, known for his incredible speed and ability to destroy opponents. Despite facing numerous injuries throughout his career, Bond left a lasting impression with his blistering pace and his exceptional accuracy in delivering toe-crushing yorkers. One notable feat was his consistent ability to dismiss Ricky Ponting in the first six One-Day Internationals they played against each other.
Bond’s athletic and fluid bowling action was tailored to generate late swing and in-swing deliveries, combined with his frustratingly rapid pace of around 150 km/hr. He made significant contributions to the New Zealand cricket team, taking 87 wickets in Test matches, 147 wickets in One-Day Internationals, and 27 wickets in Twenty20 Internationals.
From 2002 to 2010, Shane Bond represented New Zealand, establishing himself as the fastest right-arm bowler. His quickest recorded delivery was an astounding 156.4 km/hr, achieved during the ICC World Cup 2003. Currently, Bond serves as the coach of the Mumbai Indians in the Premier League, where he imparts his expertise as a bowling coach. Notably, one of his standout performances occurred in a test match against Zimbabwe, where he delivered his best bowling performance.
Mohammad Sami (156.4 kph (97.1 mph))
Mohammad Sami, a talented fast bowler from Pakistan, achieved a remarkable speed of 156.4 kilometers per hour (97.1 miles per hour). Known for his deadly combination of swing and pace, he made an impressive debut in Test cricket by taking five wickets against New Zealand. Sami holds the distinction of being the second-fastest bowler in Pakistan’s history.
He etched his name in cricket history by accomplishing a rare feat: being the only player to secure a hat trick in all three international formats. One of his most memorable moments came during an ODI against Zimbabwe in Dubai in 2003 when he delivered the blistering 156.4 kph ball. Throughout his career, Sami amassed 85 wickets in Test matches, 121 wickets in ODIs, and 21 wickets in T20Is.
Mitchell Johnson (156.8 kph (97.4 mph))
Mitchell Johnson was one of the most fearsome fast bowlers in the world. He was a key player for Australia, often leading the team to victory.
In the 2013 Ashes series, Johnson bowled his fastest delivery at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, reaching a speed of 156.8 kilometers per hour. He performed exceptionally well against England and South Africa, using his speed and aggression to intimidate batsmen. In eight Test matches, he took an impressive 59 wickets with an average of 15.23, often hitting the batsmen’s helmets with his powerful deliveries. This outstanding performance earned him the prestigious Allan Border medal when he was 32 years old.
Throughout his career, Johnson received many accolades for his exceptional skills as a bowler. He achieved 313 Test wickets and 239 ODI wickets for Australia. In the 2013 Ashes, his contribution of 37 wickets played a crucial role in Australia’s victory. He was also part of the Australian team that won the World Cup in 2015.
Fidel Edwards (157.7 kph (97.9 mph))
Fidel Edwards, hailing from the West Indies, is a left-arm fast bowler, which is quite uncommon. He made an impressive mark in his first year of international cricket by delivering a lightning-fast ball at 157.7 kilometers per hour (97.9 miles per hour) against South Africa in 2003.
Throughout his career, Edwards has taken 165 wickets in Test matches and an additional 60 wickets in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Although his last appearance for the West Indies was in 2012, he continues to showcase his skills in franchise T20 competitions.
Andy Roberts (159.5 kph (99.1 mph))
Andy Roberts, representing the West Indies, was among the fastest bowlers during his prime in the 1970s. His most notable achievement was delivering a thunderous ball at a speed of 159.5 kilometers per hour (99.1 miles per hour) in a match against Australia in 1975. In addition to his international career, Roberts also played for Hampshire and Leicestershire counties in England. Recognizing his contributions to the sport, he was honored with induction into the US Cricket Hall of Fame in 2005.
Mitchell Starc (160.4 kph (99.7 mph))
Mitchell Starc, known for his incredible speed, is considered one of the fastest bowlers globally, consistently reaching speeds of around 146.4 kilometers per hour (91 miles per hour). He is particularly renowned for his lethal in-swinging yorkers. Starc’s fastest recorded delivery occurred during a match against New Zealand on the third day of the second Test in 2015, reaching an astounding speed of 160.4 kilometers per hour (99.7 miles per hour).
In his career, he has taken 244 wickets in Test matches and 184 wickets in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Starc played a pivotal role in Australia’s victory in the 2015 World Cup, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
Jeff Thomson (160.6 kph (99.8 mph))
Jeff Thomson, regarded as one of the most terrifying bowlers in cricket, had a remarkable career from 1972 to 1985. His fastest recorded delivery came during a match against West Indies in Perth in 1975, clocking an astonishing speed of 160.6 kilometers per hour (99.8 miles per hour).
Thomson, along with fellow Australian cricketer Dennis Lillee, formed a formidable duo that struck fear into the hearts of batsmen in international cricket. Throughout his career, he claimed 200 wickets in Test matches and 55 wickets in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). In recognition of his contributions to Australian cricket, Thomson was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2016.
Shaun Tait (161.1 kph (100.1 mph))
Shaun Tait, known for his muscular build, slinging action, and short run-up, made a name for himself in the world of cricket.
Although Shaun Tait didn’t achieve significant success at the international level for Australia, he was recognized as one of the fastest bowlers during the 2010s. Representing his country, Tait played three Test matches and 35 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) between 2004 and 2016. His unique slinging action made his bowling appear effortless, but what set him apart was his ability to consistently bowl above 150 kilometers per hour.
Tait’s fastest recorded delivery occurred against England, reaching an incredible speed of 161.1 kilometers per hour. Later in his career, he even crossed the 100 miles per hour barrier in a T20I game against Pakistan in Melbourne. Despite his relatively short career, Shaun Tait will always be remembered as one of the fastest bowlers in the history of cricket.
Brett Lee (160.8 kph (99.9 mph))
Brett Lee, the fastest Australian bowler in history and the second-fastest bowler of all time, was a formidable force in the early 2000s. Alongside cricket legends like Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, Lee’s accuracy and blazing speed made him a constant threat to batsmen. In 2005, he achieved his fastest delivery at a lightning-fast speed of 161.1 kilometers per hour (100.1 miles per hour) against New Zealand. Known for his lethal bouncers, deceptive yorkers, and intense eye contact, Lee possessed a complete set of fast-bowling skills.
Throughout his impressive 13-year career, he played a vital role in Australia’s World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007, even becoming the first bowler to score a hat-trick in a T20I match during the 2007 T20 World Cup. With nearly 700 international wickets to his name, Lee’s impact extended beyond his bowling, as his batting abilities often went underrated. Interestingly, he earned the nickname “Binga” during his school days, associated with the electronics store chain known as “Bing Lee.”
Shoaib Akhtar (161.3 kph (100.2 mph))
Shoaib Akhtar, the ‘Rawalpindi Express,’ is cricket’s fastest bowler. His unique run-up and slinging action, combined with a strong build, gave him a natural pace and bounce.
In the 2003 Cricket World Cup, Akhtar unleashed the fastest ball ever recorded in international cricket. Clocking an incredible speed of 161.3 kilometers per hour (100.2 miles per hour) against England in Capetown, South Africa, he became the first player to break the 100-mile barrier on the speed gun. His aggressive style and unconventional action captivated fans worldwide.
During his career for Pakistan from 1997 to 2011, Akhtar took 178 Test wickets and 247 wickets in ODIs. As one of cricket’s fastest bowlers, he struck fear into batsmen. Akhtar has a dedicated fan following in his country, where he is admired for his game analysis and contributions to the sport.
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