The sight of a fast bowler dislodging a batsman’s stumps is one to behold. Fast bowlers are the speedsters of cricket. Their explosive deliveries pose a constant threat to batsmen. But it is not easy being a fast bowler. Their ferocious pace comes at a cost. Fast bowlers are quite injury-prone due to the immense strain placed on their bodies with every delivery. Their bowling action requires exceptional strength and flexibility, making them susceptible to injuries.
Over the years, we’ve seen some incredibly fit fast bowlers dominating the cricket world. From the likes of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson to the modern-day giants like Dale Steyn and Mitchell Starc, fast bowlers have always seemed intimidating.
Take a look at some of the fastest bowlers in cricket history, from both the past and the present.
Top 10 Fastest Bowlers in the World
1. Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar, known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” terrified batsmen worldwide with his blistering pace, often exceeding 140 kmph. Akhtar’s fiery temperament matched his bowling speed, making him a fearsome opponent on the field. Despite battling injuries throughout his career, he delivered several memorable performances during his career. During the 2003 World Cup match against England, Shoaib Akhtar unleashed a lightning-fast delivery clocked at a staggering 161.3 kmph, leaving batsman Nick Knight stunned. This is the fastest-ever delivery bowled in cricket history.
2. Brett Lee
Brett Lee’s fast bowling played a big role in Australia’s dominance across formats, including their World Cup triumphs in 2003 and 2007. Lee’s delivery against New Zealand in Napier, clocked at a staggering 161.1 kmph, etched his name in the record books. This is the second-fastest delivery bowled in cricket history. His thunderous pace, combined with precision and aggression, made him a formidable force on the pitch.
3. Shaun Tait
Shaun Tait is known as one of the fastest bowlers in cricket history. Tait earned the nickname “The Wild Thing” for his pace. Throughout his career, he consistently delivered fast deliveries, often reaching speeds of up to 155 kmph. In a T20I match in February 2010, Tait bowled a delivery at 160.7 kmph, marking the fastest recorded ball in Australia’s cricket history. Tait, who was part of the Australian team that won the 2007 World Cup, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in March 2017.
4. Jeff Thomson
When talking about the fastest bowler in the world, you cannot forget to mention Jeffrey Thomas, who intimidated batsmen with his explosive pace. His career reached a pinnacle when he unleashed a lightning-fast delivery clocked at 160.4 km/hr during a match against West Indies in Perth back in 1975. Thomas’ ability to consistently bowl at such remarkable speeds made him a feared opponent on the cricket field.
5. Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Johnson is one of the most fearsome fast bowlers of all time. During the 2013 Ashes at the MCG, he bowled his fastest delivery ever, clocking at 156.8 kmph. Johnson contributed significantly to the Australian team’s success. He was a part of the team that won multiple ICC tournaments, including the 2007 and 2015 Cricket World Cups, as well as the 2006 and 2009 ICC Champions Trophies. Jonhson retired from all formats of the game in August 2018.
6. Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Johnson is one of the most fearsome fast bowlers of all time. During the 2013 Ashes at the MCG, he bowled his fastest delivery ever, clocking at 156.8 kmph. Johnson contributed significantly to the Australian team’s success. He was a part of the team that won multiple ICC tournaments, including the 2007 and 2015 Cricket World Cups, as well as the 2006 and 2009 ICC Champions Trophies. Jonhson retired from all formats of the game in August 2018.
7. Wahab Riaz
When talking about fast bowlers, you cannot leave out Pakistanis on the list. Wahab Riaz consistently delivered at speeds of around 145 kmph, with a best speed of an astounding 154.5 kmph during the 2015 World Cup clash against India. Although he retired from international cricket last year, the pacer continues to play in the Pakistan Super League and other franchise cricket tournaments. In January 2023, during his stint with the Khulna Tigers in the 2022–23 Bangladesh Premier League, he became the first Pakistani bowler to claim 400 wickets in T20 cricket.
8. Umran Malik
Umran Malik, with his lightning-fast deliveries, is making waves in the IPL. In IPL 2022, Umran consistently delivered at speeds exceeding 150 kmph. His average speed hovered around 150 kmph, with numerous deliveries surpassing the 150 mark.
9. Kagiso Rabada
At just 22 years old, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada has emerged as one of the fastest bowlers around. Rabada has consistently surpassed 150 kmph in the IPL. Some of these deliveries even ranked in the top 10 fastest. One of his deliveries in the IPL clocked at 154.23 kmph, while another one clocked at 153.91 kmph.
10. Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins, who will be leading the Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024, is one of the fastest bowlers around. One of his fastest deliveries was against England in 2017 at 149.2 kmph. Cummins played a pivotal role in Australia’s wins in various ICC tournaments. He was part of the squad that clinched the trophy in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Notably, he led the team to victory as captain in the 2021–23 ICC World Test Championship and the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Fast bowling is an art, it adds an element of thrill to the game of cricket and over the years, fast bowlers have really won matches for their respective sides with sheer pace. These bowlers put their body on the line and despite all the injury threats have given fans plenty of moments to cherish.
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