Top 10 Fastest cricket deliveries ever bowled in History
The most thrilling aspect of the game of cricket, part from hitting huge sixes, is a furious stump-breaking fast bowling spell. At present there are many fastest cricket bowlers in the world loaded with deadly combination of pace and swing. Nevertheless, the feat of officially bowling the fastest cricket delivery in history belongs to the veteran pacer Shoaib Akhter. His record of bowling a 161.3 km/h ball hasn’t been breached by any blower in the world. Shaun Tait had a near miss a few years back when he recorded a blazing 161.1 km/h delivery however Shoaib Akhter’s record remains intact. Fastest cricket deliveries ever bowled in Test games however took an interesting turn last year when Australian bowler Mitchell Starc bowled the fastest ball in test cricket history. A 160.4 km/h delivery against New Zealand that raised a lot of debate later on regarding the authenticity of the speed machine however got recorded in history books. 10 fastest cricket deliveries ever bowled in any format of international cricket are as under.
Top 10 Fastest cricket deliveries ever bowled in History
10. Dale Steyn and Lasith Malinga – 155.7 km/h
Dale Steyn and Lasith Malinga two of the best cricket bowlers at present jointly hold the record of bowling at 155.7 km/h. known for the accuracy and perfect bowling figures both Dale Steyn and Lasith Malinga are equally successful in all three formats of the game. While Dale Steyn enjoys a prominent place in fast bowling department courtesy his smoothly balanced bowling action, Lasith Malinga gets extra pace and in-swing from its slingy posture. Interestingly, both these fast bowlers have bowled their fastest cricket deliveries against the same opposition – New Zealand.
09. Shane Bond – 156.4 km/h
One of the finest Kiwi pacer who got his cricket career terminated for one of the worst cricket injuries bowled the fastest ball of his career in World Cup 2003 against Australia. His ability to deliver the ball right in roots of stumps made him one of the most fearsome pacer in cricket world. Shane Bond announced his retirement at the age of 35 after getting injured a number of times.
08. Muhammad Sami – 156.4 km/h
Yet another talent from the side well renowned for its swing expert pacers. The overlooked Pakistani fast bowler Muhammad Sami could have been a real hit in cricket world had he focused on his abilities. Regarded as one of the fastest bowler alongside Shaoib Akhter, Sami never lived unto the expectations. Though he hasn’t announced retirement from cricket, a permanent place in Pakistan cricket side seems unreachable for him following his defective line and length. Still one of his balls bowled against Zimbabwe in 2003 was regarded as one of the fastest deliveries in cricket.
07. Mitchell Johnson – 156.8 km/h
The furious Aussie pacer, who looks much more fearsome with his trademark moustaches especially meant for ‘Ashes’, is losing his reputation of a limited over bowler. Or maybe he deliberately focusing more on the classic version of the game, the truth is he has never been so much dangerous in limited overs game as he do appear in tests. And no surprises his fastest delivery in career has come in the same Ashes series against bitter rivals England.
06. Fidel Edwards – 157.7 km/h
Considering the physical wonders gifted by nature, West Indians should have been the fastest bowlers in the world. However the case is not the same today though there used to be some scary pacers in West Indian team during their golden cricket era. However this man having the honor of bowling one of the fastest cricket deliveries is not a muscular hunk. Standing 1.65m tall Fidel Edwards bowled one of the quickest ball in cricket history against South Africa measuring at 157.7 km/h.
05. Andy Roberts – 159.5 km/h
Nicknamed ‘ice man’ for his ruthless attitude while he is firing furiously brutal bowling spells, Andy Roberts was one of the many reasons West Indies dominated the world cricket for so many years. West Indian fast bowling combined with the batting abilities of some of the legendary batsmen in the world led the side enjoy an invincible position back in 80’s. Andy Roberts’ fastest delivery is believed to be around 160 km/h.
04. Jeffrey Thompson and Mitchell Starc – 160.4 km/h
The legendary Australian pacer was disadvantaged by the fact that at his time there was no modern technology of measuring the accurate pace of the ball. It is being said that he was the fastest ever bowler in cricket history clocking over 100 mph on regular basis. His fastest ball is believed to be bowled at Perth one of the fastest cricket pitches in the world. On the other hand Mitchell Starc is the latest addition in fastest deliveries in cricket list. His ball clocking 160.4 against New Zealand last year broke the world record of fastest ball in test match history. Although as earlier mentioned, the legitimacy of the ball was dubious both for New Zealand coach and batsman. The pacer however later on offered an open challenge to all those having a disbelief in his pacing abilities to join in nets. So any doubter here?
https://youtu.be/6-aq04kJg7Q
03. Shaun Tait – 160. 7
Cricket Australia might have other plans but Shaun Tait is no mood of giving up his cricket career. The veteran pacer has been in action for quite a time now. Featuring twice in fastest cricket deliveries record list, Shaun Tait can constantly bowl with a pace of over 150 km/h. His 160.7 km/h delivery was recorded against Pakistan in a T20 game.
02. Shaun Tait and Brett Lee – 161.1
Both Aussie fast bowlers were truly phenomenal in their profession. Shaun Tait throughout his career struggled to keep a constant spot in the side however on the other hand Brett Lee enjoyed most prominent status after the retirement of Glenn McGrath and co. Both Australian pacers have always been in great physical shape throughout their careers maintaining the power mandatory to generate fearsome pace. Brett Lee’s 161. 1 km/h deliver came in Napier during a 2005 game against New Zealand while Shaun Tait again marked his name while playing at Lord’s against England.
01. Shoaib Akhter – 161.3 km/h
When Shoaib Akhter emerged in professional cricket Pakistan cricket team was full of match winning bowlers. Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis’s deadly pace duo was backed by Saqlain Mushtaq in spin department. Fitting in the Pakistan playing eleven in spite of having so many iconic bowlers required some special talent and Shoaib Akhter was loaded with it. Unlike both Waqar and Wasim using their swinging abilities Shoaib Akhter mainly focused on his pace and got a reputation in a very little time. Although the ripen age of Wasim Akram also helped him get a permanent place in the side later on. Nevertheless, Shoaib Akhter tops the list of fastest cricket deliveries in cricket history with his 161.3 km/h ball against England.
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