Speed in cricket is pure excitement, and nothing thrills fans more than witnessing the Fastest Bowls bowled in Cricket History. Over the years, some of the game’s greatest pacers have set new records with the Fastest bowls bowled in Cricket History. The sight of a fast bowler charging in and delivering a thunderbolt that leaves the batter with no chance is a moment fans live for. Over the years, some legendary pacers have redefined speed, delivering the Fastest bowls in Cricket History. Throughout history, some bowlers have pushed the limits, delivering the Fastest Bowl bowled in Cricket History. In this article, we explore the top five fastest deliveries ever recorded and the bowlers who have etched their names in the record books with their blistering pace.
Unforgettable Speed: Fastest bowls bowled in Cricket History
1. Shoaib Akhtar – 161.3 km/h (Pakistan v. England, 2003)
Shoaib Akhtar is popularly known as ‘Rawalpindi Express’, Shoaib Akhtar is the owner of the world record for the fastest ball in international cricket. His fiery spell against England has gone down in the annals of the 2003 World Cup when he fired one ball past Nick Knight at 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) – a true thunderbolt. No one has been able to break this record so far; thus, Akhtar remains without competition the speed king of cricket.
2. Brett Lee – 161.1 km/h (Australia v. New Zealand, 2005)
Brett Lee was one of the greatest incarnates of fast-bowling muses in Australia, making him the nemesis of every batter. Highly accurate and blisteringly fast, he managed to clock 161.1 km/h with his highest delivery speed against New Zealand during a clash in 2005, proving once again why he was among the most shunned fast bowlers of his era.
3. Shaun Tait- 161.1 km/h (Australia v. England, 2010)
In the history of pace, Shaun Tait may not have a great deal in terms of years but judged on sheer, naked pace, he would measure up with any. It was this monstrous ball measured at 161.1 km/h that burst through against England in an ODI in 2010. Concluded suddenly due to injuries, one does not forget blistering speed.
4. Jeff Thomson- 160.6 km/h (Australia, 1975)
In the age of forensic speed tracking, Jeff Thomson was among the most terrifying fast bowlers of all time. His bowling was more like that of a bullet than that of a cricket ball, and estimates put him at probably having generated about 160.6 km/h in 1975. Together with Dennis Lillee, one of the most dreaded partnerships in history was formed.
5. Mitchell Starc – 160.4 km/h (Australia v. New Zealand, 2015)
The modern speedster, Mitchell Starc, made his place here with lethal yorkers and fast deliveries. Claiming his fastest ever at 160.4 km/h against New Zealand in 2015, he gets to stake a claim to the top. Speed with accuracy indeed is the ticket to becoming one of the high-placed fast bowlers in the modern age just past.
6. Andy Roberts (West Indies) 159.5 km/h (99.1 mph)
A founding block for the great West Indies pace battery, known for burning speed coupled with the strategy of using pace and speed variation, his clock was 159.5 km/h (99.1 mph)- with great potential to befuddle batters whose speed seemed to change at the drop of a hat making him one of the most dangerous bowlers of the day.
7. Fidel Edwards (West Indies)- 157.7 km/h (98.0 mph):
A batter’s worst nightmare, Fidel Edwards’s slinger would suddenly be able to produce terrific speed seemingly from nowhere; hence his fastest delivery recorded is 157.7 km/h (98.0 mph). His sheer aggression and unpredictability ensured his place among the fastest bowlers in history.
8. Pat Cummins (Australia) – 157.4 km/h (97.8 mph)
One of the greatest contemporary exponents, Pat Cummins, has bowled for Australia as captains should. His best career mark at 157.4 km/h (97.8 mph) gives an idea of how he can hammer a nail into the coffin with relentless pace and control while constantly bothering the batsman with genuine pace, movement, and accuracy.
9. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) -156.2 km/h (97.1 mph)
Rabada is that rare breed of paceman gifted with the knack of paralyzing opponents with speed and extreme bounce. As such, it’s a clear showcase of that variant talent at 156.2 km/h (97.1 mph), making him one of the fastest-ranked bowlers in the world today.
10. Jofra Archer (England) -155.0 km/h (96.3 mph)
The cricketing world has swooned under the spells of Jofra Archer’s fire and fury and laser-guided missiles. If 155.0 km/h (96.3 mph) is the best that he is doing presently, then his raw speed shows great potential for future endeavors. He is one of the most exciting modern-day pacers and is a key weapon for England across formats.
Conclusion
The side of speed bowling is probably the most exciting in cricket; however, very few are known to have gone past the 160 km/h mark. Shoaib Akhtar’s rocket, being the fastest ball in the history of mankind at 161.3 km/h, is another issue altogether. Many have had the honor of sledding, including legends such as Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, and Mitch Starc.
This is as good as it gets for India for now. The fastest ball ever bowled by an Indian at 157 km/h promises a brighter day ahead when Indians will bowl even faster than that. With the kind of fitness and training these days, might we be nearing 162 km/h?
Time will tell!
