Fast bowlers are the lifeblood of any exciting cricket match. Their raw pace, pinpoint accuracy, and ability to unsettle batsmen are a sight to behold. As the cricketing world gears up for upcoming tournaments, let’s turn our spotlight on the bowlers who consistently break the speedometer and leave batsmen confused:
| Bowler | Bowling Speed | Fastest Ball | Wickets (test+ODI) | Year |
| Shoaib Akhtar | 160+ | 161.3 | 445 | 2003 |
| Brett Lee | 160+ | 161.1 | 590 | 2005 |
| Shaun Tait | 160+ | 61.1km | 62 active ODI w. | — |
| Jeff Thomson | 160+ | 160.6km | 255 | — |
| Mitchell Starc | 150+ | 160.4km | 422 | — |
| Andy Roberts | 150+ | 159.5km | 289 | — |
| Fidel Edwards | 150+ | 157.7km | 225 | 2003 |
| Mohd. Sami | 150+ | 156.4km | 206 | 2003 |
| Shane Bond | 150+ | 156.4km | 234 | 2003 |
| Umran Malik | 150+ | 157 kmph | 2022 |
1. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan – Retired)Â
Among the10 Fastest Bowlers In The World the “Rawalpindi Express” needs no introduction. His record-breaking 161.3 kmph delivery and brilliant spells cemented his place as one of the fastest and most intimidating bowlers ever.
2. Brett Lee (Australia – Retired)Â
Another legend, Brett Lee’s thunderbolts regularly exceeded 160 kmph. His accurate yorkers and bouncers rattled batting lineups, and his duels with greats like Sachin Tendulkar are cricketing classics.
3. Shaun Tait (Australia – Retired)
Shaun Tait, known for his raw pace and aggression, was a nightmare for batsmen to face. Though injuries limited his international career, his sheer pace, often exceeding 160 kmph, made him a force to be viewed with.
4. Jeff Thomson (Australia – Retired)
A pioneer of fast bowling, Jeff Thomson terrorized batsmen in the 70s.
While official records of his fastest delivery are unbeatable, estimations place him consistently in the 160+ kmph range.
His aggressive bowling and spells were a defining aspect of the era.
The Modern Era of Speed Bowling
5. Mitchell Starc (Australia)
The current leader of the pack, Mitchell Starc consistently clocks speeds above 150 kmph. His left-arm angle, swing bowling capabilities, and searing yorkers make him a multi-dimensional threat.
6. Andy Roberts (West Indies – Retired)
A fearsome fast bowler of the 70s, Andy Roberts was known for his raw pace and hostility. His fastest recorded delivery clocked in at 153.3 kmph, a remarkable feat in his era.
7. Fidel Edwards (West Indies – Retired)
Fidel Edwards carried the legacy of Windies pace bowling forward. His express pace, often exceeding 150 kmph, combined with his swing, made him a dangerous proposition for batsmen.
Emerging And Exciting Talent Of India
8. Umran Malik (India)
The new kid on the block, Umran Malik, has taken the cricket world by storm with his raw pace, regularly exceeding the 150 kmph mark. He is a promising prospect for Indian fast bowling.
Respected Veterans (mentioned briefly due to prior coverage):
9. Mohd. Sami (Pakistan – Retired)
More than just raw pace, Mohd. Sami possessed the valuable skill of swing bowling, making him a double threat for batsmen.
During the early 2000s, he formed a powerful partnership with the likes of Shoaib Akhtar and Wasim Akram, creating headaches for many in the batting lineup.
His fastest recorded delivery was clocked at a staggering 160.2 kmph in 2003, showcasing his raw firepower.
10. Shane Bond (New Zealand – Retired)
Despite battling injuries throughout his career, Shane Bond created a niche as a genuine pace threat and a skilled swing bowler.
Often overshadowed by the legendary Glenn McGrath, Bond’s express pace, exceeding 150 kmph, and his ability to swing the new ball made him a valuable asset for New Zealand.
His fastest recorded delivery of 156.4 kmph came against India in the 2003 World Cup, showing his overshadowed ability.
Lastly,
The cricketing world is constantly evolving, and so is the art of fast bowling. Bowlers are now focusing on fitness, variations in pace, and developing different deliveries to become more well-rounded threats.
However, it would be hard to replace those fast bowling legends as the new talent comes with more innovation and creativity.
Who will be the next Shoaib Akhtar or Brett Lee? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the future of fast bowling is bright, promising many more thrilling encounters between batsmen and these speed demons.