Speed Demons: The Top 5 Fastest Bowlers in Cricket’s Rich History
Cricket, often dubbed as the gentleman’s game, has seen its fair share of pace demons over the years. From blistering bouncers to lightning-fast deliveries, these bowlers have left an indelible mark on the sport with their sheer speed and ferocity. Let’s take a closer look at some of the fastest bowlers in cricket history who have set the pitch on fire with their pace:
5. Mitchell Starc – 160.4 km/hr
Mitchell Starc is part of the elite list of left-arm bowlers to have played the game at the highest level. The Australian pacer was the highest wicket-taker in two consecutive 50-over World Cups in 2015 and 2019. The speedster bowled his fastest delivery at 160.4 km/hr in a Test match against New Zealand at Perth and is in the fastest ball in cricket history list.
The 31-year old has picked 255 Test wickets and 184 ODI wickets in his career so far. Despite witnessing a dip in his recent performances, Starc happens to be one of Australia’s premier pacers in the Test format if not the best fast bowler in the world.
4. Jeffrey Thomson – 160.6 km/hr
Jeff Thomson was a dreadful sight for any batter during his prime and featured among the toppers in the world fastest bowler ranking. The former Australian made life miserable for most batters during his tenure as an Australian cricketer. He instilled fear in the minds of the opposition with his sheer pace coupled with enormous consistency and is still in the list of fastest ball bowled in cricket.
Thomson delivered his fastest delivery at a speed of 160.6 km/hr against the West Indies at Perth in 1975. Partnering with Dennis Lillee, Thomson would make for the most fearsome fast-bowling duo during the 1974-75 season. He took 200 Test wickets and 55 ODI wickets between 1972 to 1985.
3. Shaun Tait – 161.1 km/hr
Known for his erratic bowling, Shaun Tait didn’t witness enough success at the international level for Australia. However, he was one of the quickest bowlers during the 2010s. He could only play three Tests and 35 ODIs for Australia between 2004 and 2016. His slinging action made it look so easy for him but bowling consistently above 150 clicks had now become his forte. He bowled his fastest delivery against England.
This particular ball was delivered at a speed of 161.1 km/hr. The right-arm pacer even breached the 100mph barrier against Pakistan in a T20I game at Melbourne later in his career and went up in the list of fastest ball bowled in cricket. Despite a short career, Shaun Tait will always be regarded as one of the fastest bowlers in cricket history.
2.Brett Lee – 161.1 km/hr
Brett Lee was the fastest Australian bowler in history and the second-fastest bowler of all time and has the highest speed bowling in cricket among Australians.
The New South Wales player had a formidable Australian line-up during the early 2000s. He was a regular feature along with the likes of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. Apart from his accuracy, his menacing pace troubled most batters against him. He crossed the 100 miles barrier to deliver his fastest delivery at 161.1 km/hr against New Zealand in 2005 at Napier.
1.Shoaib Akhtar – 161.3 km/hr
Shoaib Akhtar, also referred to as the “Rawalpindi Express,” is the quickest bowler in the history of cricket and currently holds the record for bowling fastest pace. He had a unique runup in which he would frequently run from the boundary line and bowl the ball. With the aid of his slinging movement and his muscular frame, which greatly complemented his natural velocity and bounce, Shoaib Akhtar became the fastest bowler in history.
During the 2003 Cricket World Cup, Pakistan’s right-arm bowler bowled the fastest delivery in international cricket history. Akhar, who has always loved bowling quickly, had a time of 161.3 km/h in a match against England in Capetown, South Africa. He became the first cricket player in history to breach the 100 with this delivery.
The history of cricket is rich with tales of fast bowlers who have enthralled fans and left an enduring legacy with their blistering pace. From Shoaib Akhtar’s thunderous deliveries to Mitchell Starc’s lethal yorkers, these bowlers have etched their names in cricketing folklore as the guardians of speed and aggression on the pitch.
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