Fast Bowlers Round The World

Cricket is a game which is considered to be dominated by batsmen. But if one looks closely at it, there have been instances where the bowling has also dominated the game. The pride of bowling and the jewel of any cricket line-up is a genuine fast bowler. Over the years the art of fast bowling has evolved in varied ways. With this evolution have come different styles and techniques, with newer speed records. As such it is very difficult to make a list of the top ten fastest bowlers of all time, for the conditions, techniques and situations in which the bowlers played over the years have changed radically.

Here we present a compilation of the fastest bowlers based both on speed, accuracy and perception

Mohammed Sami

Pic – supersport.com

Mohammad Sami is a Pakistani cricketer who plays as fast bowler and is considered to be one of the fastest bowlers after Shoaib Akhtar. He is the only bowler in cricket to notch hat-tricks in all three formats of the game. Sami is known for his quick Yorkers, traditional and good pace.His fastest delivery 156.4 km per hr. ODI came out at Sharjah against Zimbabwe in April 2003.

Fidel Edwards

Pic – itsonlycricket.com

 Often considered as the Jeff Thompson of West Indies for his arm action, Fidel Edwards swung into fame after he bowled a delivery which nearly touched 100 miles per hour. That fast delivery was at 157.7 kmph and came against South Africa in 2003.

Andy Roberts 

Pic – roundpulse.com

Andy Roberts is considered as the man of achievements in West Indian cricket. He twice took 7 wickets in an innings of a match and then took fast bowling to a new high when he bowled a delivery that recorded 159.5 km per hour on the speedometer.

Jeffrey Thompson

Pic – 1.bp.blogspot.com

Jeff Thompson was one of the legends of his time. In the mid-1970’s he was the fastest Australian bowler.His fastest delivery is 160.4 kmph against West Indies in Perth 1975.

Shane Bond

Pic – Wikipedia.org

A name sounding like 007 and deliveries like bullets is what characterizes Shane Bond. A very dangerous bowler, his fastest delivery clocked a speed of 156.4 km per hr. during the world cup in 2003

LasithMalinga

Pic – livecricketmag.blogspot.in

Separamadu LasithMalinga, the Sri Lankan Right Arm Fast Bowler is the next in our list  with a rare round-arm action. His fastest delivery is 155.7 kmph During World Cup 2011 against New Zealand at Mumbai.

Dale Steyn

Pic – telegraph.co.uk

Dale Willem Steyn, the South African Right Arm Fast Bowler’s fastest Delivery of  155.7 kmph ODI was Recorded against New Zealand.

Shaun Tait

Pic – telegraph.co.uk

Shaun William Tait , the lanky tall Australian was a menace in International Stage till 2011. He currently plays only 20-20 cricket.He bowled his fastest delivery of 160.7 kmper hr. in a T20

Pic: Getty Images

Brett Lee is considered by many as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all times. He bowled his fastest delivery of 160.8 kmph 2005 bilateral series against New Zealand at Napier.

Shoaib Akhtar

Pic: Sporting-heroes.net

His autobiography has the title “controversially yours” but there is perhaps no controversy over the fact that he was the fastest bowler on earth at his time. He set an official world record by achieving the fastest delivery, of 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph) against England in 2003 World Cup.