Shoaib Akhtar, Shaun Tait, etc are the Fastest Deliveries Bowled in the History of Cricket. Cricket is a game of skill, strategy and speed. Nothing catches the eye like watching a bowler charge in and deliver a ball at the top speed. Fast bowlers provide thrilling energy to the game with their raw velocity and capacity to deliver the ball. Fast bowlers and their fast bowling always add a different electrifying edge to the game. Several bowlers have carved their names into cricket history by bowling the unbelievable speeds that astound opponents and viewers alike. Today, we bring you a list of the fastest deliveries bowled in the history of Cricket with their bowler’s name.
- Shoaib Akhtar – 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph)
- Shaun Tait – 161.1 km/h (100.14 mph)
- Brett Lee – 161.1 km/h (100.14 mph)
- Jeff Thomson – 160.6 km/h (99.66 mph)
- Mitchell Starc – 160.4 km/h (99.57 mph)
- Andy Roberts – 159.5 km/h (99.12 mph)
- Fidel Edwards – 157.7 km/h (97.94 mph)
- Mitchell Johnson – 156.8 km/h (97.49 mph)
- Mohd. Sami – 156.4 km/h (97.18 mph)
- Shane Bond – 156.4 km/h (97.18 mph)
1. Shoaib Akhtar – 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph):
Shoaib Akhtar also known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” holds the record for the fastest delivery ever bowled in cricket. This remarkable record occurred during a match between Pakistan and England on February 22, 2003. He not only etched his name in the record books but also solidified his reputation as one of the most fearsome fast bowlers in cricket’s history.
- Team: Pakistan
- Match: Pakistan vs. England
- Date: 22 February 2003
- Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
2. Shaun Tait – 161.1 km/h (100.14 mph):
Shaun Tait, an Australian fast bowler who delivered fast bowling during a One Day International (ODI) match. This remarkable record occurred in a match between Australia and England at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. He showcased his ability to generate extreme speed and added to the title as second second-fastest bowler in cricket.
- Team: Australia
- Match: Australia vs. England
- Date: 24 January 2010
- Venue: Lord’s, London
3. Brett Lee – 161.1 km/h (100.14 mph):
Brett Lee is the former Australian fast bowler. He consistently bowled at high speeds, with this delivery being the fastest of his career. His fastest delivery occurred during a One Day International (ODI) match between Australia and New Zealand on March 5, 2005. Lee’s remarkable speed, coupled with his athleticism and aggressive bowling style is popular.
- Team: Australia
- Match: Australia vs. New Zealand
- Date: 5 March 2005
- Venue: Napier, New Zealand
4. Jeff Thomson – 160.6 km/h (99.66 mph):
Jeff Thomson was one of the fastest bowlers in the 1970s. He is known for his terrifying batsmen with his sheer pace. He also held the position for the fastest delivery of the ball during the Test match between Australia and West Indies on February 16, 1976, at the WACA Ground in Perth, Australia. His ferocious pace, combined with his unorthodox action and aggressive demeanour give him a record.
- Team: Australia
- Match: Australia vs. West Indies
- Date: 1975
- Venue: Perth, Australia
5. Mitchell Starc – 160.4 km/h (99.57 mph):
Mitchell Starc is the fiery Australian left-arm fast bowler. His ability to bowl at extreme speeds while swinging the ball makes him a formidable bowler. His impressive bowling is recorded as history during the Test match between Australia and New Zealand on November 15, 2015, at the WACA Ground in Perth, Australia. He is a fast bowler and consistently bowls at such high speeds.
- Team: Australia
- Match: Australia vs. New Zealand
- Date: 15 November 2015
- Venue: Perth, Australia
6. Andy Roberts – 159.5 km/h (99.12 mph):
Andy Roberts is the legendary West Indian fast bowler. He is well-known and one of the pioneers of fast bowling from the West Indies. He is known for his pace and hostility. His remarkable feat occurred during a Test match between West Indies and Australia, precisely on March 13, 1975, at the WACA Ground in Perth, Australia.
- Team: West IndiesÂ
- Match: West Indies vs. Australia
- Date: 1975
- Venue: Perth, Australia
7. Fidel Edwards – 157.7 km/h (97.94 mph):
Fidel Edwards is a dynamic West Indian fast bowler. He consistently bowled at high speeds. He is known for his pace and skill. His impressive shot occurred during a Test match between West Indies and South Africa, precisely in 2003, at the Wanderers, Johannesburg. His aggressive bowling style and ability to generate bounce, make his presence in international cricket matches.
- Team: West IndiesÂ
- Match: West Indies vs. South Africa
- Date: 2003
- Venue: Wanderers, Johannesburg
8. Mitchell Johnson – 156.8 km/h (97.49 mph):
Mitchell Johnson is the fiery Australian left-arm fast bowler. He is known for his raw pace and accuracy, which makes him one of the most exciting fast bowlers in modern cricket. His notable performance occurred during a Test match between England and Australia, precisely on August 25, 2019, at the Lord’s, London.
- Team: England
- Match: England vs. Australia
- Date: 25 August 2019
- Venue: Lord’s, London
9. Mohd. Sami – 156.4 km/h (97.18 mph):
Mohammad Sami is a Pakistani fast bowler. He is also known for his raw pace and skill. This notable performance occurred during a One Day International (ODI) match on April 5, 2003, against Zimbabwe at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates. His ability to generate such speed makes him one of Pakistan’s fastest bowlers.Â
- Team: Pakistan
- Match: Pakistan vs. Zimbabwe
- Date: 27 April 2003
- Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
10. Shane Bond – 156.4 km/h (97.18 mph):
Shane Bond is a New Zealand fast bowler. He demonstrated his immense pace and skill during the Test match between India and New Zealand on March 12, 2003, at Seddon Park in Hamilton, New Zealand. His ability to consistently bowl at such high speeds makes him recognition as one of New Zealand’s fastest and most feared bowlers.
- Team: New Zealand
- Match: India vs. New Zealand
- Date: 26 March 2003
- Venue: SuperSport Park in Centurion, South Africa