Cricket is a sport that requires a mix of skill, strategy, and athleticism. Among the various types of bowlers, fast bowlers are often the most thrilling to watch. Their ability to bowl at high speeds makes it challenging for batters to react quickly.
The faster a ball is bowled, the less time a batsman has to adjust, making fast bowlers highly effective. Here is a list of the top 10 world’s fastest bowlers in cricket history, showcasing their remarkable speeds and contributions to the game.
See More: Top 10 Best Openers In The World
Top 10 World’s Fastest Bowlers in Cricket History
| Rank | Bowler | Ball Speed | Country | Against | Year |
| 1 | Shoaib Akhtar | 161.3 km/hr | Pakistan | England | 2003 |
| 2 | Shaun Tait | 161.1 km/hr | Australia | England | 2010 |
| 3 | Brett Lee | 161.1 km/hr | Australia | New Zealand | 2005 |
| 4 | Jeffrey Thomson | 160.6 km/hr | Australia | West Indies | 1975 |
| 5 | Mitchell Starc | 160.4 km/hr | Australia | New Zealand | 2015 |
| 6 | Andy Roberts | 159.5 km/hr | West Indies | Australia | 1975 |
| 7 | Fidel Edwards | 157.7 km/hr | West Indies | South Africa | 2003 |
| 8 | Mitchell Johnson | 156.8 km/hr | Australia | England | 2013 |
| 9 | Mohammad Sami | 156.4 km/hr | Pakistan | Zimbabwe | 2003 |
| 10 | Shane Bond | 156.4 km/hr | New Zealand | India | 2003 |
1. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan) – 161.3 km/hr
Shoaib Akhtar, known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” holds the record for the fastest delivery ever bowled in cricket. He achieved this feat against England during the 2003 ICC World Cup, clocking 161.3 km/hr (100.2 mph).
Shoaib Akhtar’s ability to bowl consistently at high speeds made him a nightmare for batters. He took 178 Test wickets and 247 ODI wickets in his career from 1997 to 2011.
2. Shaun Tait (Australia) – 161.1 km/hr
Shaun Tait bowled his fastest delivery at 161.1 km/hr (100.1 mph) against England at Lords in 2010. Known for his raw pace, injuries hampered Tait’s career, but he was still a force to be reckoned with.
He played for several teams in franchise cricket and took 62 wickets in ODIs and 28 in T20Is for Australia.
3. Brett Lee (Australia) – 161.1 km/hr
Brett Lee, one of the most successful fast bowlers in cricket, bowled his fastest delivery at 161.1 km/hr (100.1 mph) against New Zealand in 2005. Lee’s career spanned from 1999 to 2012, during which he took 310 Test wickets and 280 ODI wickets. He was instrumental in Australia’s World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007.
4. Jeffrey Thomson (Australia) – 160.6 km/hr
Jeff Thomson was one of the most feared bowlers in the 1970s. He bowled his fastest ball at 160.6 km/hr (99.8 mph) against West Indies in 1975. Thomson, along with Dennis Lillee, formed a formidable fast-bowling pair. He took 200 Test wickets and 55 ODI wickets in his career.
5. Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 160.4 km/hr
Mitchell Starc is known for his fast, in-swinging yorkers. His fastest delivery was clocked at 160.4 km/hr (99.7 mph) against New Zealand in 2015. Starc has been a key player for Australia, taking 244 Test wickets and 184 ODI wickets. He was part of the World Cup-winning team in 2015.
6. Andy Roberts (West Indies) – 159.5 km/hr
Andy Roberts was one of the fastest bowlers in the 1970s. He bowled his fastest ball at 159.5 km/hr (99.1 mph) against Australia in 1975. Roberts played a crucial role in the West Indies’ dominant cricket era. He took 202 Test wickets and 87 ODI wickets.
7. Fidel Edwards (West Indies) – 157.7 km/hr
Fidel Edwards bowled his fastest delivery at 157.7 km/hr (97.9 mph) against South Africa in 2003. Known for his slingy action, Edwards took 165 Test wickets and 60 ODI wickets. He last played for West Indies in 2012 but continues to play in T20 leagues.
8. Mitchell Johnson (Australia) – 156.8 km/hr
Mitchell Johnson bowled his fastest delivery at 156.8 km/hr (97.4 mph) against England in 2013. Johnson was a versatile cricketer, also contributing with the bat. He took 313 Test wickets and 239 ODI wickets.
Mitchell Johnson was named ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Test Player of the Year in 2014.
9. Mohammad Sami (Pakistan) – 156.4 km/hr
Mohammad Sami bowled his fastest delivery at 156.4 km/hr (97.1 mph) against Zimbabwe in 2003. Known for his combination of swing and pace, Sami took 85 Test wickets and 121 ODI wickets.Â
Mohammad Sami holds the unique record of having a hat trick in all three international formats.
10. Shane Bond (New Zealand) – 156.4 km/hr
Shane Bond bowled his fastest delivery at 156.4 km/hr (97.1 mph) against India in 2003. Despite being plagued by injuries, Bond was New Zealand’s fastest bowler of his time.
He took 87 Test wickets and 147 ODI wickets. He is now part of the coaching staff at Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Who Are the Fastest Bowlers in India?
India has a rich history of producing talented cricketers, including some of the fastest bowlers in the world. These bowlers have made their mark by consistently delivering high-speed deliveries that challenge batters with their pace and accuracy.
Here are the top 5 quickest bowlers in Indian cricket history, showcasing their top speeds and contributions to the game.
Top 5 Fastest Indian Bowlers of All-Time
| Rank | Bowler | Ball Speed | Year |
| 1 | Umran Malik | 157 km/hr | 2022 |
| 2 | Mayank Yadav | 156.7 km/hr | 2024 |
| 3 | Irfan Pathan | 153.7 km/hr | 2007 |
| 4 | Mohammed Shami | 153.3 km/hr | 2014 |
| 5 | Jasprit Bumrah | 153.26 km/hr | 2018 |
1. Umran Malik – 157 km/hr (2022)
Umran Malik, a fast bowler from Hyderabad, has captured the cricket world’s attention with his incredible speed. During the 2022 Indian T20 League season, Malik consistently bowled over 150 km/hr, making him the fastest bowler in India. His top speed of 157 km/hr has set a new benchmark for Indian fast bowlers.
2. Mayank Yadav – 156.7 km/hr (2024)
Mayank Yadav, a rising star in Indian cricket, delivered the fastest ball in the IPL 2024 season at 156.7 km/hr. Representing Lucknow Super Giants, Yadav made an impressive debut with figures of 3/27, showcasing his pace and accuracy. He consistently bowled around 148 km/hr, with many deliveries crossing the 150 km/hr mark.
3. Irfan Pathan – 153.7 km/hr (2007)
Irfan Pathan, known for his swing and pace, reached a top speed of 153.7 km/hr in 2007. Pathan was a key player for India in the mid-2000s, contributing significantly with both ball and bat. His ability to generate speed while maintaining control made him a formidable bowler.
4. Mohammed Shami – 153.3 km/hr (2014)
Mohammed Shami, one of India’s premier fast bowlers, recorded his fastest delivery at 153.3 km/hr in 2014. Shami is known for his seam and swing bowling, coupled with his ability to bowl at high speeds. He has been a consistent performer for India across all formats.
5. Jasprit Bumrah – 153.26 km/hr (2018)
Jasprit Bumrah, famous for his unique bowling action and deadly yorkers, bowled his fastest delivery at 153.26 km/hr in 2018. Bumrah has been a crucial part of India’s bowling attack, and he is known for his accuracy and ability to bowl in the death overs.
Conclusion
Fast bowlers bring excitement to the game of cricket with their incredible speeds and skills. The ability to bowl at over 150 km/hr is a rare and remarkable talent. Shoaib Akhtar holds the record for the fastest ball ever bowled, but many other bowlers have also left their mark with their speed and effectiveness.Â
India’s fast bowlers have shown that they can compete with the quickest bowlers from around the world. With talents like Umran Malik and Mayank Yadav leading the way, the future of Indian fast bowling looks bright.
These bowlers have not only achieved remarkable speeds but have also made significant contributions to their teams with their skill and dedication.
FAQs
Q1: Who holds the record for the fastest delivery in cricket history?
Ans: Shoaib Akhtar holds the record for the fastest delivery in cricket history, clocking 161.3 km/hr (100.2 mph) against England in 2003.
Q2: Which bowler bowled the second-fastest ball in cricket?
Ans: Shaun Tait bowled the second-fastest ball in cricket at 161.1 km/hr (100.1 mph) against England in 2010.
Q3: Who is the fastest bowler from Australia?
Ans: Brett Lee is one of the fastest bowlers from Australia, with his fastest delivery at 161.1 km/hr (100.1 mph).
Q4: Has any bowler from West Indies made it to the list of fastest bowlers?
Ans: Yes, Andy Roberts and Fidel Edwards from the West Indies are among the fastest bowlers in cricket history.
Q5: Which current bowler is known for his speed?
Ans: Mitchell Starc from Australia is known for his speed, with his fastest delivery clocked at 160.4 km/hr (99.7 mph).
Q6: Who is the fastest bowler in India?
Ans: Umran Malik is currently the fastest bowler in India, with a top speed of 157 km/hr achieved in 2022.
Q7: Who bowled the fastest ball in IPL 2024?
Ans: Mayank Yadav bowled the fastest ball in IPL 2024 at 156.7 km/hr.
Q8: Which Indian bowler has the fastest delivery ever recorded?
Ans: Umran Malik holds the record for the fastest delivery by an Indian bowler at 157 km/hr.
Q9: Are there any other notable fast bowlers from India?
Ans: Yes, other notable fast bowlers from India include Irfan Pathan, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah, all known for their pace and accuracy.
Q10: How fast can Jasprit Bumrah bowl?
Ans: Jasprit Bumrah’s fastest recorded delivery is 153.26 km/hr.
