Fastest Balls in Cricket History: Top Speeds Ever Recorded
Fastest Balls in Cricket History: Top Speeds Ever Recorded
Blog Article
Cricket has always had its share of thrilling moments, but nothing gets fans more excited than a ball flying past the batter at lightning speed. The roar of the crowd, the stunned reaction of the batter, and the speed gun flashing triple digits — it's pure adrenaline.
In this post, we’re taking a closer look at the fastest balls in cricket history — who bowled them, how fast they went, and what made these deliveries unforgettable. Whether you’re a fan of fast bowling or just curious about cricket’s speed records, this guide will give you all the details you need.
What Makes a Ball Fast in Cricket?
Before we jump into names and numbers, let’s understand what makes a delivery “fast” in cricket:
Speed is measured in km/h (kilometers per hour) using radar guns placed around the ground.
A ball over 145 km/h is considered fast, while those crossing 150+ km/h are rare and thrilling.
Fast bowling depends on strength, smooth action, and timing — not just raw muscle.
Some bowlers regularly touch high speeds, but only a few break into the top charts with once-in-a-generation deliveries.
Top 10 Fastest Balls in Cricket History
Here are the bowlers who’ve sent down the quickest deliveries ever recorded. Each of these moments has earned a place in cricket history, not just for the speed but for the sheer impact on the game and the batter at the crease.
1. Shoaib Akhtar – 161.3 km/h
Known as the "Rawalpindi Express," Shoaib Akhtar bowled the fastest ball ever recorded during a match between Pakistan and England in the 2003 World Cup. Clocking in at 161.3 km/h, this delivery set a benchmark that still stands today.
2. Shaun Tait – 161.1 km/h
The Australian pacer bowled at top gear in a match against England in 2010. His 161.1 km/h thunderbolt made him one of the rare bowlers to breach the 160-mark.
3. Brett Lee – 161.1 km/h
Another Aussie speedster, Brett Lee, reached the same blistering pace of 161.1 km/h against New Zealand in 2005. Known for his smooth action and aggression, Lee was a constant threat to any batter.
4. Jeff Thomson – 160.6 km/h
Back in 1975, Jeff Thomson shocked the cricketing world with a 160.6 km/h missile against the West Indies. With older technology and less protective gear for batters, this delivery was even scarier in its time.
5. Mitchell Starc – 160.4 km/h
Starc fired a 160.4 km/h rocket in a game against New Zealand in 2015. Known for his deadly yorkers and ability to swing at speed, this left-arm pacer remains one of the most dangerous modern bowlers.
6. Andy Roberts – 159.5 km/h
One of the West Indies’ original fast men, Roberts bowled a 159.5 km/h delivery in 1975. His ability to mix speed and variation made him a nightmare for batters of that era.
7. Fidel Edwards – 157.7 km/h
Edwards brought raw pace for the West Indies. He hit 157.7 km/h during a match against South Africa in 2003 — enough to unsettle even experienced players.
8. Mitchell Johnson – 156.8 km/h
Johnson, with his fiery spells and bounce, reached 156.8 km/h against England in 2013. That Ashes series was dominated by his pace and aggression.
9. Mohammed Sami – 156.4 km/h
A lesser-remembered name in the speed charts, Sami clocked 156.4 km/h during Pakistan's 2003 match versus Zimbabwe. He was one of the fastest bowlers Pakistan ever produced, even if consistency wasn’t always his strength.
10. Shane Bond – 156.4 km/h
The Kiwi pacer delivered a 156.4 km/h bullet in a 2003 match against India. Bond was known for his sharp pace and accuracy, making him a rare mix of speed and control.
Shoaib Akhtar: The Rawalpindi Express
Shoaib Akhtar’s name is written in bold letters in the history of fast bowling. In 2003, during a match against England in the Cricket World Cup, he clocked 161.3 km/h, making it the fastest ball in cricket history.
He didn’t just rely on speed. Shoaib also had the aggression and attitude to back it up. His fiery spells were known to rattle even the best batters in the world.
Other Legendary Speedsters
Brett Lee
Brett Lee was consistently fast. He often crossed 150 km/h and bowled at full throttle with incredible accuracy. His delivery against New Zealand in 2005 clocked 161.1 km/h.
Shaun Tait
Shaun Tait had raw pace but struggled with accuracy. Still, he managed to send down a 161.1 km/h thunderbolt during a match against England in 2010.
Jeff Thomson
Way back in the 1970s, Thomson was terrifying batters with his slingy action and brutal speed. His ball in 1975 was unofficially measured at 160.6 km/h, which is even more impressive for that era.
Mitchell Starc
One of the modern-day fast bowlers to make the list, Starc delivered a 160.4 km/h ball during a game against New Zealand in 2015. He combines speed with deadly yorkers, making him a complete package.
How Is Ball Speed Measured in Cricket?
Speed in cricket is fastest yorkers in cricket tracked using radar guns, usually placed beside the pitch or behind the bowler’s arm.
The speed displayed is of the ball at release — fastest yorkers in cricket not when it reaches the batter.
Technologies like Hawk-Eye and SpeedGun help capture precise data.
These readings are shown on live broadcasts and stored for analysis.
Over the years, speed-tracking has become more advanced, reducing errors and making comparisons more reliable.
Trends in Fast Bowling Over Time
1970s–80s: Bowlers like Jeff Thomson and Michael Holding brought raw pace with limited data.
1990s–2000s: Radar guns became standard. Akhtar, Lee, and Bond dominated the charts.
2010s–Present: Starc, Archer, and Nortje are the torchbearers of pace today.
Modern fitness, biomechanics, and technology have made fast bowling more scientific. But the thrill? Still the same.
Fastest Bowlers in Modern Cricket
Anrich Nortje
Clocked 156.2 km/h in IPL 2020 — one of the fastest ever in the league.
Jofra Archer
Consistently bowls over 150 km/h. His pace and bounce trouble the best in the world.
Mark Wood
His bowling spells in The Ashes regularly go beyond 150, and fastest ball in T20 cricket he recently clocked 156 km/h.
Lockie Ferguson
Fastest from New Zealand in recent years, known for his fiery pace and toe-crushing yorkers.
What Makes These Deliveries So Special?
These aren't just fast numbers on a screen. These balls:
Tested batters' reflexes
Changed match momentum
Left lasting memories in cricket history
Drew massive fan attention and media buzz
Even one fast ball can shake a team’s confidence — and that’s why they’re remembered for years.
FAQs About Fastest Balls in Cricket
Who bowled the fastest ball in cricket history?
Shoaib Akhtar holds the record with a 161.3 km/h delivery during a match against England in 2003.
What speed is considered a fast ball in cricket?
Anything over 145 km/h is fast. Above 150 is rare. Above 160 is record-breaking.
Where are speed guns placed in cricket?
They’re usually installed behind the bowler’s arm or near the sight screen.
How is speed measured in cricket?
Using radar-based technology that tracks the ball at the moment of release.
Will bowlers go faster in the future?
Possibly. With better training, biomechanics, and sports science, we might see new speed records soon.
Why don’t all fast bowlers hit 160 km/h?
It takes a rare mix of strength, rhythm, and timing — and even then, very few can reach those numbers.
Final Thoughts
The fastest balls in cricket history have not only pushed the boundaries of speed but have also changed how the game is played. These moments live on in the memories of fans and the nightmares of batters.
As cricket continues to evolve, one thing remains the same — the excitement of watching a bowler storm in and send down a ball faster than the eye can follow.