List of Top 10 Fastest Bowler in the World of Cricket

GAMES
Cricket has always been my passion. There’s something magical about watching a fast bowler charge in, muscles coiled like a spring, hurling a ball at speeds most of us can’t even imagine. Growing up, I used to imitate those speed demons in backyard matches to try and mimic their fiery aggression. So let’s go walking into the world of fast bowling and find the top 10 fastest bowler in the world of cricket that left us speechless.
Top 10 Fastest Bowler in the World

List of Top 10 Fastest Bowler in the World of Cricket

1. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan) – The “Rawalpindi Express”

If there’s one name synonymous with raw pace, it is Shoaib Akhtar. I remember watching him bowl his record-breaking 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) delivery against England in 2003. As a kid, I was spellbound. How could someone bowl that fast and still hit the stumps?
Shoaib was not only a speedster, but he used to carry an aura to the field, which was unique. Be it his battles with Sachin Tendulkar or his scary stare, every delivery of Shoaib used to feel like a battle.

2. Brett Lee (Australia) – The Smiling Assassin

Brett Lee is always deceptively intimidating not because he is sporty with his blond locks and the ever-present smile plastered across his face. He does often pitch over 150 km/h, and best he has so far was over New Zealand back in 2005 at a blazing 161.1 km/h. Still, aggression at ball does not equal Brett’s modesty on field.
This hit me straight at Lee is consistency. From the scorching Australian heat, to the bouncing tracks of South Africa, one cannot downgrade the idea of getting an A-grade performance from him.

3. Shaun Tait (Australia)-The “Wild Thing”

He was unpredictable, which is probably the reason he is so dangerous. His raw pace left batsmen guessing most of the time. His fastest delivery is still 161.1 km/h. I remember that match and wondered if he’s even human.
Tait’s career was short, though, because of injuries. His ability to terrorize batsmen was something no one could match. Every time he came out to play, you knew something explosive was going to happen.

4. Jeff Thomson (Australia) – The Original Speedster

Anytime we talk of the pacesetters, Jeff Thomson’s name has to be written in golden ink. He was the benchmark of fast bowling during the 1970s. The fastest delivery by him? An astonishing 160.6 km/h.
Thommo had a slinging action that was unique and made batsmen have nightmares. My dad often speaks about watching him bowl and the fear he instilled in even the bravest of batters.

5. Mitchell Starc, Australia – The Controversial Cricket Star

Mitchell Starc was the fastest for me in cricket over the current decade. With his fastest ever bowl at a remarkable 160.4 km/h during a test in New Zealand during 2015, one likes him mostly due to blending the speed he owns with an enormous amount of precision.
I have always been fascinated with his lethal yorkers. Remember the 2019 World Cup? Starc’s delivery to Ben Stokes was a toe-crushing yorker and still plays in my mind.

6. Andy Roberts (West Indies) – The Silent Assassin

Andy Roberts was part of the West Indian pace quartet. His fastest delivery? Jaw-dropping 159.5 km/h. Though Roberts did not reveal much emotion on the field, his delivery would talk.
I can recall an anecdote where a story was said about Roberts bowling two kinds of bouncers: one is easy to duck under and another that will hit you square on the chest. Can you think of being the batsman out there?

7. Jofra Archer (England) – The Rising Star

Jofra Archer burst into the scene with a blistering pace and effortless action. His fastest delivery is a sight, clocked at 156.8 km/h during the 2019 Ashes, and I remember his epic duel with Steve Smith that series – it was the best of fast bowling.
Special about Archer: he is really calm. Here’s proof you don’t need to shout and glare to get your point across.

8. Dale Steyn (South Africa) – The Steyn Gun

Dale Steyn’s fastest was at 156.2 km/h, but speed was only one of Steyn’s many arms. Steyn could swing the ball on late closures as well, which really stood him out.
I like the way Steyn approaches the game. He is not only a pacer but also somebody who can swing and accuracies with pace. One of my favorite cricketing memories would be when he bowled against the Englishmen in the 2008 series.

9. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) – The Silent Killer

Kagiso Rabada may not have broken the 160 km/h barrier, but his fastest delivery of 155 km/h is nothing to scoff at. What impresses me about Rabada is his maturity at such a young age.
I once witnessed him bowling in the IPL, and the way he outwitted an experienced batsman such as Chris Gayle left me speechless. Rabada’s consistency makes him one of the most feared bowlers of the modern era.

10. Pat Cummins (Australia) – The Relentless Warrior

He’s the current Australian skipper, but what stands out is his relentlessness. At 153.5 km/h, his fastest delivery is not in the same league as others on this list, but that’s where it counts: Pat Cummins never tires.
I still recall watching Cummins bowl through the 2019 Ashes series, with an endless stream of attack against English batsmen. It’s an attribute that deeply admires him-a speed and accuracy maintained over a long period.

What Makes These Bowlers Special?

Fast bowling has little to do with speed, lots to do with strategy, fitness, and mental toughness. There are injuries and form slumps, expectations pressure that has forced all these bowlers to face failures on this list but bounce back.
I wonder how intimidating this must be to batsmen. Imagine standing 22 yards away, knowing that a ball going over 150 km/h might hit you. The courage shown by these players, both in bowling and batting, is impressive.

My Takeaway

It has really brought so many memories. Fast bowlers are not just cricketers; they are gladiators. They bring drama, excitement, and unpredictability to the game. For me, watching a fast bowler is poem in motion.
Now it’s my turn to ask you. Who do you like? Have you ever tried mimicking their action, like I used to do when I was a kid? Let’s relive those cricketing memories together.

Frequently Asked Question

Q1. Who is the fastest bowler in the world?
Ans. Shoaib Akhtar bowled the fastest ball in cricket history at 161.3 km/hr (100.2 mph) during a 2003 World Cup match against England in Durban, South Africa.
Q2. Has anyone ever bowled 100 mph?
Ans. Shoaib Akhtar, Shaun Tait and Brett Lee are the three bowlers to have crossed the 100 mph speed barrier in cricket history. Other Australians Jeffrey Thompson and Mitchell Starc were almost there with deliveries of 99.8 and 99.7 mph respectively.
Q3. Who is the Indian fastest bowler?
Ans. Umran Malik is the Indian bowler who has bowled the fastest ball at 157 km/hr in IPL 2022. Mayank Yadav is second, who clocked 156.7 km/hr in an IPL match in 2024.
Q4. How fast is Jasprit Bumrah?
Ans. Jasprit Bumrah’s fastest delivery is at 153.26 km/hr against Australia in 2018.

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I am the owner of the blog readree.com. My love for technology began at a young age, and I have been exploring every nook and cranny of it for the past eight years. In that time, I have learned an immense amount about the internet world, technology, Smartphones, Computers, Funny Tricks, and how to use the internet to solve common problems faced by people in their day-to-day lives. Through this blog, I aim to share all that I have learned with my readers so that they can benefit from it too. Connect with me : Sabinbaniya2002@gmail.com
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