Cricket is a sport that requires skill, accuracy, and speed. The speed of the ball can often determine the outcome of a match, and the fastest deliveries have become legends in the sport. In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 fastest balls in cricket history.
1. Shoaib Akhtar – 161.3 km/h
Shoaib Akhtar, also known as the “Rawalpindi Express”, holds the record for the fastest delivery in cricket history. He clocked a speed of 161.3 km/h during a match against England in 2003. Akhtar was known for his pace and was feared by many batsmen throughout his career.
Key Features of Shoaib Akhtar’s Fastest Ball
- Speed: 161.3 km/h
- Date: 2003
- Opponent: England
- Bowler: Shoaib Akhtar
2. Brett Lee – 160.8 km/h
Brett Lee was one of the fastest bowlers of his generation and holds the record for the second-fastest delivery in cricket history. He clocked a speed of 160.8 km/h during a match against New Zealand in 2005. Lee was known for his pace and swing, and was a key member of the Australian cricket team.
Key Features of Brett Lee’s Fastest Ball
- Speed: 160.8 km/h
- Date: 2005
- Opponent: New Zealand
- Bowler: Brett Lee
3. Mitchell Starc – 160.4 km/h
Mitchell Starc is an Australian fast bowler and holds the record for the third-fastest delivery in cricket history. He clocked a speed of 160.4 km/h during a match against New Zealand in 2015. Starc is known for his pace, swing, and accuracy and has been a key player for the Australian cricket team.
Key Features of Mitchell Starc’s Fastest Ball
- Speed: 160.4 km/h
- Date: 2015
- Opponent: New Zealand
- Bowler: Mitchell Starc
4. Shaun Tait – 160.0 km/h
Shaun Tait was an Australian fast bowler and holds the record for the fourth-fastest delivery in cricket history. He clocked a speed of 160.0 km/h during a match against England in 2010. Tait was known for his pace and was a key member of the Australian cricket team.
Key Features of Shaun Tait’s Fastest Ball
- Speed: 160.0 km/h
- Date: 2010
- Opponent: England
- Bowler: Shaun Tait
5. Jeff Thomson – 159.5 km/h
Jeff Thomson was an Australian fast bowler and holds the record for the fifth-fastest delivery in cricket history. He clocked a speed of 159.5 km/h during a match against West Indies in 1975. Thomson was known for his pace and was a key player for the Australian cricket team.
Key Features of Jeff Thomson’s Fastest Ball
- Speed: 159.5 km/h
- Date: 1975
- Opponent: West Indies
- Bowler: Jeff Thomson
6. Fidel Edwards – 159.5 km/h
Fidel Edwards is a West Indies fast bowler and holds the record for the sixth-fastest delivery in cricket history. He clocked a speed of 159.5 km/h during a match against South Africa in 2003. Edwards was known for his pace and was a key player for the West Indies cricket team.
Key Features of Fidel Edwards’ Fastest Ball
- Speed: 159.5 km/h
- Date: 2003
- Opponent: South Africa
- Bowler: Fidel Edwards
7. Andy Roberts – 159.5 km/h
Andy Roberts was a West Indies fast bowler and holds the record for the seventh-fastest delivery in cricket history. He clocked a speed of 159.5 km/h during a match against Australia in 1975. Roberts was known for his pace and was a key player for the West Indies cricket team.
Key Features of Andy Roberts’ Fastest Ball
- Speed: 159.5 km/h
- Date: 1975
- Opponent: Australia
- Bowler: Andy Roberts
8. Dale Steyn – 159.5 km/h
Dale Steyn is a South African fast bowler and holds the record for the eighth-fastest delivery in cricket history. He clocked a speed of 159.5 km/h during a match against New Zealand in 2007. Steyn was known for his pace, swing, and accuracy and was a key player for the South African cricket team.
Key Features of Dale Steyn’s Fastest Ball
- Speed: 159.5 km/h
- Date: 2007
- Opponent: New Zealand
- Bowler: Dale Steyn
9. Mitchell Johnson – 159.0 km/h
Mitchell Johnson is an Australian fast bowler and holds the record for the ninth-fastest delivery in cricket history. He clocked a speed of 159.0 km/h during a match against South Africa in 2008. Johnson was known for his pace and was a key player for the Australian cricket team.
Key Features of Mitchell Johnson’s Fastest Ball
- Speed: 159.0 km/h
- Date: 2008
- Opponent: South Africa
- Bowler: Mitchell Johnson
10. Umesh Yadav – 158.8 km/h
Umesh Yadav is an Indian fast bowler and holds the record for the tenth-fastest delivery in cricket history. He clocked a speed of 158.8 km/h during a match against South Africa in 2015. Yadav is known for his pace and accuracy and has been a key player for the Indian cricket team.
Key Features of Umesh Yadav’s Fastest Ball
- Speed: 158.8 km/h
- Date: 2015
- Opponent: South Africa
- Bowler: Umesh Yadav
In conclusion, these bowlers have made their mark in cricket history with their lightning-fast deliveries. From Shoaib Akhtar’s 161.3 km/h to Umesh Yadav’s 158.8 km/h, each of these bowlers has put fear into the hearts of many batsmen and will always be remembered as some of the fastest bowlers in cricket history.
