Shoaib Akhtar, a renowned former cricket star from Pakistan, unquestionably ranks among the fastest bowlers who has also bowled the fastest ball in cricket history. The cricketing world came to a standstill as Akhtar delivered a ball at an astonishing speed of 161.3 kmph (just over 100 miles/hour) during a World Cup match against England in 2003.
Below is a comprehensive list of the ten fastest bowlers in cricket.
Table of Contents
Fastest Ball in Cricket: A Look At The Bowlers
| Bowler | Speed | Country | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoaib Akhtar | 161.3 kmph | Pakistan | England | 2003 |
| Shaun Tait | 161.1 kmph | Australia | England | 2010 |
| Brett Lee | 160.8 kmph | Australia | New Zealand | 2005 |
| Jeff Thomson | 160.6 kmph | Australia | West Indies | 1975 |
| Mitchell Starc | 160.4 kmph | Australia | New Zealand | 2015 |
| Andy Roberts | 159.5 kmph | West Indies | Australia | 1975 |
| Fidel Edwards | 157.7 kmph | West Indies | South Africa | 2003 |
| Mitchell Johnson | 156.8 kmph | Australia | England | 2013 |
| Mohammad Sami | 156.4 kmph | Pakistan | Zimbabwe | 2003 |
| Shane Bond | 156.4 kmph | New Zealand | India | 2003 |
Shoaib Akhtar: 161.3 kmph
Certainly, it’s no surprise that Shoaib Akhtar, the speedster from Pakistan affectionately known as the Rawalpindi Express, holds the title of the fastest bowler in cricket history. Renowned for his remarkable pace, he set a record by delivering a blistering ball at 161.3 kmph during the 2003 World Cup match against England – making it the fastest ball in cricket history. While his average bowling speed consistently ranged between 145 to 150 kmph, Akhtar’s career was marked by various controversies. In 2008, he faced a five-year ban for criticizing the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Shaun Tait : 161.1 kmph
Australia’s Shaun Tait claimed the distinction of delivering the second fastest ball in cricket history during a match against England at Lord’s in 2010. Stepping up as a key figure in the Australian bowling lineup during the 2007 World Cup, Tait took charge when Brett Lee was sidelined due to injury. Remarkably, he concluded the tournament as the joint-second leading wicket-taker, securing a total of 23 wickets. Tait decided to retire from One Day International (ODI) cricket in 2011 following Australia’s exit from the 2011 World Cup.
Also Read: Fastest ODI 50 in Cricket
Brett Lee 160.8 kmph
Brett Lee, renowned as one of the swiftest bowlers globally, showcased his exceptional speed with a record-breaking delivery of 160.8 kmph against New Zealand at Napier in 2005. This was his fastest ball in cricket. Making a striking impression on his Test debut against India in 1999, he secured seven wickets, including a noteworthy five-wicket haul in the first innings. This achievement marked him as the first Australian bowler since Dennis Lillee to achieve a fifer on debut. Lee played a pivotal role in Australia’s triumphs in the 2003 and 2007 ODI World Cups.
Upon concluding his cricket career, Lee’s remarkable stats included 310 Test wickets, 280 One Day International (ODI) wickets, and 487 first-class wickets to his credit.
Jeff Thomson: 160.6 kmph
Jeff Thomson, hailed as the quickest bowler of his time, delivered thunderous deliveries at a remarkable speed of 160.6 kmph during a match against the West Indies in Perth in 1975. Recognizing his significant contributions, Thomson was honored with induction into the Australian Hall of Fame on January 27th, 2016. Throughout his career, he achieved a notable record with 200 Test wickets and 55 One Day International (ODI) wickets.
Mitchell Starc: 160.4 kmph
Starc, recognized as one of the swiftest bowlers globally, unleashed his fastest ball in cricket against New Zealand during the third day of the second Test in 2015. Renowned for his proficiency in delivering in-swinging yorkers, Starc holds the distinction of being the fastest bowler to reach 150 One Day International (ODI) wickets. Adding a unique feat to his career, he achieved two hat-tricks in the same game during a Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia in 2017.
At 31 years old, Starc, a crucial member of the Australian squad that clinched the 2015 World Cup, boasts an impressive record with 244 Test wickets and 184 ODI wickets.
Conclusion
Fast bowling is an art perfected by the few. It takes an enormous amount of practice and perfection in order to achieve consistent pace across cricket matches, which the few have mastered over the years. World records are meant to be broken as the new generation of fast bowling talent is proving themselves on the field in every match. Who do you think will be the next record holder for the fastest ball in cricket?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Has anyone bowled 100 mph?
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar holds the distinction of bowling 161.3km/h or 100.2mph.
What was Brett Lee’s fastest ball?
His fastest delivery clocked in at a speed of 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph) against New Zealand in 2005. In a match against West Indies in 2000/01, it appeared that he bowled a delivery recorded at 161.8 km/h (100.5 mph); however, further analysis revealed that this measurement was an error, misjudging a 142 km/h delivery.
How fast is Malinga?
Lasith ‘Slinga’ Malinga harnessed his pace through a unique slingy action, propelling the ball with remarkable speed. Famous for his expertly executed slower ball and an exceptional toe-crushing yorker, he demonstrated a versatile bowling repertoire. Malinga’s swiftest delivery, reaching a speed of 155.7 kmph, was unleashed during a 2011 World Cup match against New Zealand in Mumbai.
How fast is Jofra Archer?
Archer, a nimble fast bowler with a high-action technique capable of reaching speeds exceeding 90mph, also showcased proficiency as a formidable lower-order hitter. He initially represented West Indies Under-19s in 2013, but his cricketing journey faced a setback when a severe back injury forced his departure from the Barbados system.
Can anyone bowl 170 kmph?
In theory, a bowler could potentially achieve a bowling speed of 170 kmph with a cricket ball. However, such occurrences are exceedingly rare, and there has never been an official record of it happening in a competitive match.
How fast is Siraj?
Siraj’s bowling speed has exhibited a steady upward trajectory since his debut in 2017. While he consistently maintained an average speed of around 145 km/h, the 2021 IPL season marked a significant improvement, with Siraj’s average speed reaching 147.5 km/h, and he even achieved the milestone of touching 156 km/h.
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