Speed has always been a crucial element in cricket. Fast bowlers can change the dynamics of a match with their sheer pace, intimidating batsmen, and providing thrilling moments for fans.
Our list of the top 10 fastest bowlers in the world will walk you through some of the prominent names in cricket.
Get ready to spot your favorite cricketer as you continue to read until the end!
List of 10 Fastest Bowlers In The World: In A Nutshell
Here’s a quick look at the top 10 fastest bowlers, their record speeds, and other details:
| Cricketer | Ball Speed | Country | Against | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoaib Akhtar | 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) | Pakistan | England | 2003 |
| Brett Lee | 161.1 km/h (100.1 mph) | Australia | New Zealand | 2005 |
| Shaun Tait | 161.1 km/h (100.1 mph) | Australia | England | 2010 |
| Jeff Thomson | 160.6 km/h (99.8 mph) | Australia | West Indies | 1975 |
| Mitchell Starc | 160.4 km/h (99.7 mph) | Australia | New Zealand | 2015 |
| Andy Roberts | 159.5 km/h (99.1 mph) | West Indies | Australia | 1975 |
| Fidel Edwards | 157.7 km/h (98.0 mph) | West Indies | South Africa | 2003 |
| Mitchell Johnson | 156.8 km/h (97.4 mph) | Australia | England | 2013 |
| Mohammad Sami | 156.4 km/h (97.1 mph) | Pakistan | Zimbabwe | 2003 |
| Shane Bond | 156.4 km/h (97.1 mph) | New Zealand | India | 2003 |
Let’s take a closer look at each of these incredible fast bowlers and their contributions to the sport.
1. Shoaib Akhtar
| Ball Speed | 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Against | England |
| Year | 2003 |
Shoaib Akhtar, famously known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” is a former Pakistani cricketer renowned for his record-breaking speed. Born on August 13, 1975, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Akhtar played for the national team from 1997 to 2011.
His career was marked by his fiery temperament and incredible pace, which often intimidated batsmen. Akhtar’s fastest delivery, clocked at 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) against England during the 2003 World Cup, remains the fastest ball ever bowled in cricket history.
He was known for his ability to generate speed consistently despite frequent injuries. Akhtar’s aggressive style and unrelenting speed made him a formidable opponent and a fan favorite.
His legacy inspires young fast bowlers worldwide, emphasizing the importance of pace and aggression in cricket.
2. Brett Lee
| Ball Speed | 161.1 km/h (100.1 mph) |
| Country | Australia |
| Against | New Zealand |
| Year | 2005 |
Brett Lee, born November 8, 1976, in Wollongong, Australia, is one of cricket’s fastest and most successful bowlers. Lee’s international career spanned from 1999 to 2012, during which he became a key player for Australia, known for his exceptional pace and ability to bowl consistently above 150 km/h.
His fastest delivery, recorded at 161.1 km/h (100.1 mph) against New Zealand in 2005, showcased his remarkable speed and control.
Lee’s career was decorated with numerous achievements, including being part of Australia’s World Cup-winning squads in 2003 and 2007. Beyond his speed, Lee was celebrated for his accuracy, athleticism, and sportsmanship.
Post-retirement, he has continued contributing to the sport as a commentator and mentor, inspiring a new generation of fast bowlers with his expertise and passion for the game.
3. Shaun Tait
| Ball Speed | 161.1 km/h (100.1 mph) |
| Country | Australia |
| Against | England |
| Year | 2010 |
Shaun Tait, an Australian cricketer born on February 22, 1983, in Nairne, South Australia, is renowned for his raw pace and unorthodox bowling action. Although sporadic due to injuries, Tait’s international career spanned from 2004 to 2016.
Known for his ability to consistently bowl at speeds exceeding 150 km/h, his fastest delivery was clocked at 161.1 km/h (100.1 mph) against England in 2010. Tait’s career highlights include his role in Australia’s victorious 2007 World Cup campaign, where his express pace troubled many top batsmen.
Despite his career being plagued by injuries, Tait’s brief stints in international cricket left a lasting impression due to his extraordinary speed.
His unique slinging action and ability to generate pace with a short run-up made him a thrilling bowler to watch and a nightmare for batsmen.
4. Jeff Thomson
| Ball Speed | 160.6 km/h (99.8 mph) |
| Country | Australia |
| Against | West Indies |
| Year | 1975 |
Jeff Thomson, born on August 16, 1950, in Greenacre, New South Wales, is a former Australian fast bowler who dominated cricket in the 1970s with exceptional speed. Known for his unconventional slinging action, Thomson and Dennis Lillee formed one of the most fearsome fast bowling duos in cricket history.
His fastest delivery, recorded at 160.6 km/h (99.8 mph) against the West Indies in 1975, cemented his reputation as one of the fastest bowlers ever.
Thomson’s career, spanning from 1972 to 1985, was marked by his aggressive approach and ability to intimidate batsmen.
He was pivotal in Australia’s successes during that era, particularly in the Ashes series. His raw pace and unique bowling style define Thomson’s legacy, influencing many future fast bowlers.
5. Mitchell Starc
| Ball Speed | 160.4 km/h (99.7 mph) |
| Country | Australia |
| Against | New Zealand |
| Year | 2015 |
Mitchell Starc, born on January 30, 1990, in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, is a leading Australian fast bowler known for his blistering speed and ability to swing the ball both ways.
Starc’s international career began in 2010, and he quickly established himself as one of the premier fast bowlers in the world.
His fastest delivery, recorded at 160.4 km/h (99.7 mph) against New Zealand in 2015, highlighted his exceptional pace. Starc’s notable achievements include being a key player in Australia’s 2015 World Cup-winning team, where he was named Player of the Tournament.
Known for his deadly yorkers and aggressive bowling, Starc has consistently been among the top wicket-takers in all game formats. His speed, skill, and consistency make him a formidable force in cricket.
6. Andy Roberts
| Ball Speed | 159.5 km/h (99.1 mph) |
| Country | West Indies |
| Against | Australia |
| Year | 1975 |
Andy Roberts, born on January 29, 1951, in Antigua, is a former West Indian fast bowler and one of the pioneers of fast bowling in cricket. Roberts’ international career spanned from 1974 to 1983, during which he was a vital component of the legendary West Indies pace attack.
His fastest delivery, clocked at 159.5 km/h (99.1 mph) against Australia in 1975, showcased his raw pace and ability to unsettle batsmen. Known for his strategic approach to fast bowling, Roberts was adept at varying his pace and delivery to outsmart opponents.
He played a crucial role in the West Indies’ dominance in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Roberts’ legacy lies in his contribution to the art of fast bowling and his influence on subsequent generations of West Indian fast bowlers.
7. Fidel Edwards
| Ball Speed | 157.7 km/h (98.0 mph) |
| Country | West Indies |
| Against | South Africa |
| Year | 2003 |
Fidel Edwards, born on February 6, 1982, in St. Peter, Barbados, is a West Indian fast bowler known for his sling-arm action and explosive pace. Edwards made his international debut in 2003 and quickly gained attention for his ability to bowl consistently above 150 km/h.
His fastest delivery, recorded at 157.7 km/h (98.0 mph) against South Africa in 2003, highlighted his remarkable speed. Despite frequent injuries that interrupted his career, Edwards remained a potent force in West Indies cricket, known for generating significant pace from a short run-up.
His career highlights include several match-winning performances and his role in West Indies’ T20 World Cup triumphs. Edwards’ unique bowling style and pace continue to make him a significant figure in cricket.
8. Mitchell Johnson
| Ball Speed | 156.8 km/h (97.4 mph) |
| Country | Australia |
| Against | England |
| Year | 2013 |
Mitchell Johnson, born November 2, 1981, in Townsville, Queensland, is a former Australian fast bowler renowned for his extreme pace and ability to generate steep bounce.
Johnson’s international career spanned from 2005 to 2015, during which he was a key player for Australia in all game formats.
His fastest delivery, recorded at 156.8 km/h (97.4 mph) against England in 2013, showcased his exceptional speed and aggression.
Johnson’s career highlights include his pivotal role in Australia’s Ashes victories, notably the 2013-14 series, where he took 37 wickets. Known for his hostile bowling and match-winning spells, Johnson’s intimidating presence on the field made him one of the most feared bowlers of his era.
His contributions to cricket have left a lasting legacy, inspiring future generations of fast bowlers.
9. Mohammad Sami
| Ball Speed | 156.4 km/h (97.1 mph) |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Against | Zimbabwe |
| Year | 2003 |
Mohammad Sami, born on February 24, 1981, in Karachi, Pakistan, is a former Pakistani fast bowler known for his blistering pace and ability to swing the ball.
Sami’s international career began in 2001, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the fastest bowlers in cricket.
His fastest delivery, recorded at 156.4 km/h (97.1 mph) against Zimbabwe in 2003, highlighted his exceptional speed. Despite his talent, Sami’s career was marred by inconsistency and injuries.
However, he remained a significant figure in Pakistan cricket, known for his potential to deliver match-winning spells. Sami’s ability to generate pace and movement made him a challenging bowler.
His career is a testament to the raw pace and skill that Pakistan has consistently produced in the fast bowling department.
10. Shane Bond
| Ball Speed | 156.4 km/h (97.1 mph) |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Against | India |
| Year | 2003 |
Shane Bond, born on June 7, 1975, in Christchurch, New Zealand, is a former fast bowler known for his exceptional pace and accuracy. Bond’s international career, spanning from 2001 to 2010, was frequently interrupted by injuries, but his performances left an indelible mark on the game.
His fastest delivery, recorded at 156.4 km/h (97.1 mph) against India in 2003, showcased his raw speed. Bond’s career highlights include several match-winning performances against top teams like Australia and India.
Known for his ability to bowl consistently fast and with pinpoint accuracy, Bond was a key player for New Zealand during his career. Despite his injury setbacks, his impact on the game and his role in inspiring future fast bowlers in New Zealand cricket is significant.
Conclusion: Shoaib Akhtar Is The Fastest Bowler In The World!
Fast bowlers have always been the heart and soul of cricket, bringing excitement and unpredictability to the game.
This list of the top 10 fastest bowlers showcases the incredible talent and dedication required to bowl at such high speeds.
Aspiring bowlers can learn a lot from these legends, not just about speed but also the hard work and perseverance needed to succeed at the highest level.
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