It’s not for nothing that in cricket tearaway fast bowlers have always been the source of excitement and thrill and fear. A ball hurtling into a batsman at more than 150km/h is an instant no fan forgets. World cricket has witnessed several such speedsters over the years who have bent human impossibilities and bowled the fastest deliveries of all time.
In this review, you will find the Top 10 Fastest Bowler In Cricket History written in plain English with confirmed speeds, career information and a layout that is easily understood by anyone.
What Does “Fastest Bowler” Mean?
How we discuss the fact that there is such a thing as a fastest bowler in cricket:
- We’re talking about the fastest delivery you’ve ever bowled.
- The speed is recorded on radar guns, or with the aid of ball-tracking technology.
- Did I say the bowler bowls that speed and that’s all he can do out there when he bowls?
Criteria Used for This List
To help ensure the information below remains current and helpful:
- The speeds are based on deliveries officially recorded from the bowler.
- Only international or top-level competitive matches are included.
- The media includes fast bowlers from the modern era as well as its distant past.
Top 10 Fastest Bowlers: Overview Table
| Rank | Bowler | Country | Top Recorded Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shoaib Akhtar | Pakistan | 161.3 km/h |
| 2 | Shaun Tait | Australia | 161.1 km/h |
| 3 | Brett Lee | Australia | 161.1 km/h |
| 4 | Jeff Thomson | Australia | 160.6 km/h |
| 5 | Mitchell Starc | Australia | 160.4 km/h |
| 6 | Andy Roberts | West Indies | 159.5 km/h |
| 7 | Fidel Edwards | West Indies | 157.7 km/h |
| 8 | Mitchell Johnson | Australia | 156.8 km/h |
| 9 | Mohammad Sami | Pakistan | 156.4 km/h |
| 10 | Shane Bond | New Zealand | 156.4 km/h |
Detailed Profiles of the Fastest Bowlers
1. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan) – 161.3 km/h
Shoaib Akhtar a.k.a the Rawalpindi Express is the fastest cricketer of all time.
His ball at 161.3 km/h remains the fastest in the world of cricket, serving towards the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
Why He Was So Fast:
- Long, powerful run-up
- Strong shoulder and wrist action
- Explosive athletic build
Akhtar wasn’t just fast, he was mean. Batsmen were scared of him because he could bowl consistently uptempo spells inventively and pair it with lethal bumpers.
2. Shaun Tait (Australia) – 161.1 km/h
The Wild Thing, bowled at 161.1 km/h.
His whippy action and raw power made him one of the fastest bowlers Australia has ever produced.
Traits:
- Short but explosive run-up
- Wild, unpredictable movement
- Predominantly in ODI and T20 cricket
His career was relatively short because of injuries but he made a massive impact as one of the quickest bowlers in world.
3. Brett Lee (Australia) – 161.1 km/h
Brett Lee is one of the best fast bowlers ever. His fastest ball measured 161.1 km/h as well.
Lee took raw speed and added swing, accuracy and an athlete’s intensity.
Why Fans Loved Him:
- Smooth, rhythmic action
- Consistent pace above 150 km/h
- Deadly yorkers and bouncers
Lee was a strike bowler for Australia for over a decade.
4. Jeff Thomson (Australia) – 160.6kph
The first of the 1970s’ speed kings was Jeff Thomson, who bowled like nobody before.
His fastest delivery, at 160.6 km/h (99.8 mph), was recorded during a time of comparatively less technology and protection for batsmen.
Unique About Thomson:
- Slingy, round-arm action
- Unpredictable bounce
- Fearless attitude
He established a fabled fast-bowling combination with Dennis Lillee.
5. Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 160.4 km/h
There are few more dangerous left-arm fast bowlers in modern cricket than Mitchell Starc.
He bowled at an as whole speed of 160.4 km/h, one of only a few to top the milestone.
What Makes Him Special:
- Deadly swinging yorkers
- Pace + accuracy
- Match-winner in ICC tournaments
Starc still red hot at world cricket with his sheer speed and quality.
6. Andy Roberts (West Indies) 159.5 km/h
Hard-wearing Andy Roberts was a key figure in the celebrated West Indian four-pronged pace attack of his day.
He has also bowled at up to 159.5 km/h.
Highlights:
- Strategic use of double bouncers
- Smart variations
- How Pressure Was Built On players via speed and control
He was an influence on generations of Caribbean fast bowlers.
7. Fidel Edwards (West Indies) – 157.7 km/h
Fidel Edwards bowled an absolute scorcher going at 157.7 km/h, which did wonders to cement his spot among one of the quickest bowlers across the globe.
His Strengths:
- High jump at release point
- Raw pace from a long run-up
- Ability to generate steep bounce
Edwards was a naturally athletic bowler who was difficult to face on grassy pitches.
8. Mitchell Johnson (Australia) – 156.8 km/h
Mitchell Johnson’s reputation was of an express, terror-inducing spell — particularly during the 2013–14 Ashes series, when he tormented England’s batsmen.
Features:
- Bowls above 150 km/h often
- Generates sharp bounce
- Extremely aggressive mindset
His quickest delivery came in at 156.8 km/h, but his greatest strength was the sustained speed at which he bowled.
9. Mohammad Sami (Pakistan) – 156.4 km/h
Mohammad Sami is one of the lesser known fast bowlers from Pakistan.
His top speed was 156.4km/h.
Why He Stood Out:
- Very smooth bowling action
- Ability to move the ball at pace.
- Strong performer in early 2000s
10. Shane Bond (New Zealand) – 156.4 km/h
Shane Bond was New Zealand’s quickest, and most menacing, bowler.
He clocked a fastest delivery of 156.4 km/h.
Known For:
- Perfect seam movement
- High pace and accuracy
- Match-winning spells in limited innings
Injuries derailed his career, but Bond remains best known for his blazing speed.
Why These Bowlers Are Special
These quickest bowlers are unique because :
- They crossed human pace limits
- Their behaviour and biomechanics were quite different
- They redefined the understanding of fast bowling.
- They had an impact on younger bowlers across the globe
And most important, they married pace with skill — general ability rather than just raw speed.
How Bowling Speed Is Measured
The following tools are employed as bowling speed tests to make sure that readings offered here are precise:
- Radar guns
- Hawk-Eye tracking
- Ball-tracking cameras
Advanced technology guarantees better figures compared to previous decades.
The Future of Pace Bowling
Fast-bowling is still evolving as:
- Better training and fitness methods
- Improved understanding of biomechanics
- Technology helping reduce injuries
- Young boys from all cricket playing countries coming through.
One would assume that one day, future bowlers will even surpass the 161.3 km/h mark throughout.
Conclusion
The top 10 fastest bowler in cricket history does ranked some hundred of miles per hour and is just an extremely talented guys. From the tempestous Shoaib Akhtar to the contemporary pace merchants such Stars and Johnson, these bowlers have been era-defining when it comes to sheer speed.
With their bravery, skill and commitment they have made cricket more exciting for millions of people across the world. But for their pace significance, it pales in comparison
FAQs On Fastest Bowler in Cricket History
1. Who is the fastest bowler in world cricket?
Shoiab Akhar has the record of fastest ball in cricket, his speed is 161.3 km/h and threw it during ICC Cricket World Cup 2003..
2. Which nation has manufactured the most fast bowlers?
The pace attacks of Australia and Pakistan have a long tradition of producing some of the most feared fast bowlers, who are hailed for their pace, accuracy and aggression.
3. What all does it take for a bowler to make a fast paced bowl?
Fast bowling speed is determined by strength, technique, the continutation of momentum from the run-up and position of the wrist to generate pace.
4. Is 150+ km/h bowling in cricket normal?
No. It is only a select group of fast bowlers that includes Shoaib Akhtar, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Jofra Archer who breach the 150 km/h barrier on a regular basis.
5. Who is the quickest bowler in the world at present?
Those days, the bowlers like who keep crossing 150’ies of Lockie Ferguson, Jofra Archer and Umran Malik are some of the fastest active pacers on this planet as per recent records.
