Fast bowling is an art that not many can master. Only a few fast bowlers have the ability to persist for longer periods of time in their playing career. Bowling fast is one of the toughest jobs in cricket given the load that it takes on an individual’s body. While the world has seen some of the greatest fast bowlers of all-time. Take a look at the top 5 fastest balls in cricket history.
Fastest balls in cricket history:
Player | Speed (Km/h) |
Shoaib Akhtar | 161.3 |
Shaun Tait | 161.1 |
Brett Lee | 161.1 |
Jeff Thomson | 160.6 |
Mitchell Starc | 160.4 |
Fastest ball in Test history
Mitchell Starc achieved the record against New Zealand in a Test match played in 2015. Starc delivered a ball at 160.4 km/h (99.66 mph) to Ross Taylor which is to date the fastest in red-ball cricket.
Fastest ball in T20I history
Shaun Tait delivered his fastest ball during a T20I game against Pakistan clocking a speed of 161.1 km/h on the speed gun. Though he did not receive much success at the international level, Shaun Tait still haunted every batter that he bowled to.
Fastest ball in ODI history
Shoaib Akhtar delivered the fastest delivery ever bowled in world cricket during the ICC CWC 2003. Akhtar breached the 100mph bracket to clock 161.3kmph against England at Newlands in Capetown.