Cricket, often known as a gentleman’s game, transforms into a battlefield when fast bowlers hurl thunderbolts down the pitch.
The history of cricket is punctuated by moments of sheer pace, where bowlers send the ball hurtling towards the batsmen with unbridled ferocity.
The speed demons have left an indelible mark on cricket, combining skill with sheer velocity to create moments of awe and excitement.
As the game progresses, the quest for the elusive 160 km/h mark continues, with each generation aiming to produce the next ‘fastest bowler in the world.’
The legacy of these speedsters ensures that the tradition of thunderous fast bowling remains a cherished aspect of the cricketing narrative.
Check the top 10 fastest bowlers in the history of cricket, where speed becomes the protagonist.
1. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan) – 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph):
Shoaib Akhtar stands as the epitome of sheer pace in cricket. His record-setting delivery of 161.3 km/h during the 2003 ICC World Cup against England remains unmatched, solidifying his status as the fastest bowler in history.
2. Shaun Tait (Australia) – 161.1 km/h (100.14 mph):
Australia’s Shaun Tait, with a delivery speed of 161.1 km/h against England in 2010, showcased an explosive combination of speed and accuracy. His express pace made him a potent weapon in Australia’s fast-bowling arsenal.
3. Brett Lee (Australia) – 161.1 km/h (100.14 mph):
Brett Lee, another Australian speedster, shares the second spot with Tait, having bowled at an identical speed of 161.1 km/h against New Zealand in 2005. Lee’s fiery pace and aggressive approach terrorized batsmen throughout his illustrious career.
4. Jeff Thomson (Australia) – 160.6 km/h (99.66 mph):
A trailblazer of fast bowling in the 1970s, Jeff Thomson consistently unleashed deliveries that approached the 160 km/h mark. His record-setting speed of 160.6 km/h against West Indies in 1975 showcased his ability to generate raw pace.
5. Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 160.4 km/h (99.57 mph):
In the contemporary era, Mitchell Starc has emerged as one of the fastest bowlers, regularly breaching the 160 km/h barrier. His delivery at 160.4 km/h against New Zealand in 2015 highlighted his lethal combination of speed and swing.
6. Andy Roberts (West Indies) – 159.5 km/h (99.12 mph):
Andy Roberts, a West Indies pace maestro from the 1970s, recorded a searing delivery at 159.5 km/h against Australia in 1975. His ability to generate both pace and bounce made him a formidable force in the Caribbean’s pace attack.
7. Fidel Edwards (West Indies) – 157.7 km/h (97.94 mph):
Fidel Edwards, following in the footsteps of his West Indies predecessors, showcased fiery pace with a delivery at 157.7 km/h against South Africa in 2003. His accurate and rapid bowling style troubled batsmen consistently.
8. Mitchell Johnson (Australia) – 156.8 km/h (97.49 mph):
Mitchell Johnson, a left-arm speedster from Australia, was a relentless force in world cricket. His delivery at 156.8 km/h against England in 2013 encapsulated his ability to bowl with express pace and swing.
9. Shane Bond (New Zealand) – 156.4 km/h (97.18 mph):
New Zealand’s Shane Bond announced his arrival on the international scene with a delivery at 156.4 km/h against India in 2003. Bond’s explosive pace and precision made him a standout performer for the Kiwis.
10. Mohd. Sami (Pakistan) – 156.4 km/h (97.18 mph):
Mohammad Sami, another Pakistani speed merchant, shares the tenth spot with Bond. His delivery at 156.4 km/h against Zimbabwe in 2003 showcased his ability to consistently reach high speeds and trouble opposing batsmen.
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