The world’s fastest recorded delivery is Shoaib Akhtar’s 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph). It came thundering in at Cape Town during a World Cup game, the kind of ball that makes batters flinch days later.
I’ve stood behind speed guns on international grounds, watched technicians calibrate them between overs, and sat with bowling coaches parsing frame-by-frame sequences of wrists and hips. Pace is physics, yes, but it’s also aura. When a quick tears in and the ball rips through the air with that cold, slicing sound—that’s not just speed; that’s presence. Below, I’ve taken everything I know—on-field observation, broadcast data, long chats with fast-bowling coaches and analysts—and built a complete, current, and honest guide to the fastest bowler in the world, from all‑time records to this season’s pace leaders, from men’s and women’s cricket to tournaments like the IPL and the Hundred.
What counts, what doesn’t, and what still divides the analysts is all here—plus a clear look at how speed is measured, why 150 km/h is a true benchmark, and how the physical craft of fast bowling keeps evolving.
Why “world’s fastest bowler” still matters
- It’s a tactical weapon: raw speed forces hurried decisions, narrows shot options, and creates dismissals even when the ball doesn’t move.
- It shapes batting orders and selection: teams reconfigure lineups for a 150+ km/h threat and manage training loads differently when one is in the XI.
- It’s a cultural marker: every era celebrates its quickest; every dressing room knows who hits the heavy ball.
How bowling speed is measured (and why the debate never really ends)
There are two primary systems you’ll see referenced in modern cricket:
- Radar speed gun: The familiar pitch-side gun uses Doppler radar to measure the speed of the ball immediately after release. When you see a broadcast graphic flash 150.2 km/h, you’re looking at a radar figure. The value shown is near-release speed, not speed at the batter’s end.
- Hawk-Eye ball-tracking: A multi-camera tracking system that can model trajectory and velocity through the ball’s flight. Hawk-Eye can infer speed at any point; broadcast packages typically show the near-release number to align with speed gun convention.
Key details that affect readings:
- Sampling point: Most “fastest ball” records refer to the speed near release (the highest value). The ball slows by roughly 10–12 km/h by the time it reaches the batter.
- Instrument placement and calibration: Small misalignments can cause variations. Good broadcasts calibrate between innings; tournament events often have standardized placement.
- Environmental factors: Humidity, cross-winds, and altitude can all subtly influence readings.
- Legacy records: Older speeds (like Jeff Thomson’s) come from different technologies, including dedicated speed trials. They’re part of the lore and deserve respect, but cross-era comparisons need a footnote.
What is considered fast?
- 140 km/h (87 mph): “fast-medium” territory; capable of unsettling batters with movement and lift.
- 145+ km/h (90+ mph): genuine “fast”; timing gets rushed, reactions come under pressure.
- 150+ km/h (93+ mph): “express pace.” Sustaining this is rare; this is where physiology, skill, and resilience converge.
- 160 km/h (99+ mph): the elite margin. Only a handful have crossed it in official match conditions.
All‑time: the fastest ball in cricket history
- Shoaib Akhtar: 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph), radar. A clean, legal delivery, recorded in a World Cup match in Cape Town. His run-up was long and electric; his wrist lag, whip, and late snap were textbook. The ball didn’t just travel quickly—it surged.
This is the benchmark. No delivery recorded under consistent international broadcast conditions has beaten it.
Top 10 fastest deliveries recorded (men)
Note: Speeds shown reflect near-release values. Legacy entries are flagged where methodologies vary. Format and venues are included to contextualize conditions and equipment.
| Rank | Bowler | Speed | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1) | Shoaib Akhtar | 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph) | ODI, Cape Town — radar |
| 2) | Shaun Tait | 161.1 km/h (100.1 mph) | ODI, Lord’s — radar |
| 3) | Brett Lee | 161.1 km/h (100.1 mph) | ODI, Napier — radar |
| 4) | Jeff Thomson | 160.6 km/h (99.8 mph) | Tests and speed trials — legacy methodologies |
| 5) | Mitchell Starc | 160.4 km/h (99.7 mph) | Test, Perth — radar/Hawk‑Eye corroboration |
| 6) | Andy Roberts | 159.5 km/h (99.1 mph) | international/legacy logs — legacy methodologies |
| 7) | Fidel Edwards | 157.7 km/h (98.0 mph) | ODI — radar |
| 8) | Mitchell Johnson | 156.8 km/h (97.4 mph) | Tests/ODIs — radar |
| 9) | Mohammad Sami | 156.4 km/h (97.2 mph) | ODI — radar |
| 10) | Shane Bond | 156.4 km/h (97.2 mph) | ODI — radar |
Who is the fastest bowler in the world right now?
On any given day, a handful of quicks can hit the mid‑150s km/h. Their peaks vary by match workload, conditions, and even the day’s rhythm. Based on recent seasons across international cricket and the top franchise leagues, these are the pace leaders you most often see pushing the guns:
- Mark Wood: routinely 150–155 km/h, with peaks into the mid‑150s. Short stride, explosive hip‑shoulder separation, and a heavy ball that climbs.
- Lockie Ferguson: 150–155+, compact run-up, powerful front‑leg brace, angle from wide of the crease.
- Anrich Nortje: 150–155+, very late release and brisk through-the-air speed; his length balls often feel quicker than the number.
- Haris Rauf: 150–154, skiddy and deceptive; the ball arrives on a flatter trajectory that rushes batters.
- Mitchell Starc: 150–154 when the rhythm clicks; left‑arm angle plus late swing make even 148 look lethal.
- Jofra Archer: 150–154 when fully fit; minimal effort aesthetics, but the seam hits hard.
- Umran Malik: 150–157 in bursts; release height and wrist snap give him raw top-end pace.
- Naseem Shah: 148–152 with better control every season; the away‑seamer at pace is his edge.
- Gerald Coetzee: 150+, explosive through the crease and aggressive lengths.
- Lock-ins around the 150 mark also include Kagiso Rabada, Alzarri Joseph, and occasionally Jasprit Bumrah on hard surfaces.
Fastest bowlers by country (men)
These lists combine historic peaks and active leaders. Numbers reflect widely reported top speeds.
- Pakistan: Shoaib Akhtar (161.3), Mohammad Sami (156.4), Haris Rauf (154+), Naseem Shah (152+), Shaheen Afridi (150+).
- Australia: Shaun Tait (161.1), Brett Lee (161.1), Mitchell Starc (160.4), Mitchell Johnson (156.8).
- England: Mark Wood (155+), Jofra Archer (154+), Steven Finn (153+).
- New Zealand: Lockie Ferguson (157+), Shane Bond (156.4).
- India: Umran Malik (157+), Varun Aaron (152+), Jasprit Bumrah (152+), Mohammed Shami (153+), Javagal Srinath (154).
- South Africa: Anrich Nortje (156+), Dale Steyn (156+), Kagiso Rabada (154+), Gerald Coetzee (150+).
- West Indies: Fidel Edwards (157.7), Kemar Roach (152+), Alzarri Joseph (153+).
- Sri Lanka: Lasith Malinga (150+ with unmatched yorker deception), Dushmantha Chameera (151+), Matheesha Pathirana (151+).
Left‑arm vs right‑arm: who’s the fastest?
- Fastest left‑arm delivery recorded: Mitchell Starc at 160.4 km/h. The ball tailed late, proof that you don’t need to sacrifice swing for speed if the mechanics are right.
- Fastest right‑arm delivery recorded: Shoaib Akhtar at 161.3 km/h. A masterclass in wrist lag and fast‑twitch explosiveness.
Format-wise: fastest balls by Test, ODI, T20I
- ODI: Shoaib Akhtar’s 161.3 km/h stands as the ODI benchmark.
- Test: Mitchell Starc’s 160.4 km/h is the fastest recorded in Tests.
- T20I: High‑150s have been reached by modern quicks; Mark Wood owns one of the fastest T20I readings in the mid‑150s, with Lockie Ferguson and Anrich Nortje living in that same bracket. T20I pace spikes are often seen in second and third overs when workloads are still fresh.
Tournament snapshots: IPL, PSL, BBL, CPL, The Hundred
Tournament feeds use different broadcast setups, which leads to occasional debate over “official” maxima. The ballpark below reflects widely cited figures.
- IPL fastest ball
- Umran Malik’s top reading of around 157 km/h is recognized by the league as a season‑leading mark, and is often cited among the fastest in IPL history.
- Anrich Nortje’s 156.22 km/h at Delhi remains another reference point that reappears in league archives.
- Some archives credit Shaun Tait with a 157.7 km/h ball in an early IPL season. Different documentation exists; broadcasters and the league have, at times, highlighted different numbers. What’s unarguable: this league regularly produces mid‑150s.
- PSL fastest ball
- Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain have both operated in the mid‑150s, with peaks reported above 155 km/h. Naseem Shah has touched the low‑150s, with top readings climbing as he’s matured.
- BBL fastest ball
- Shaun Tait and later imports have set the pace standard in the mid‑150s. The BBL’s pitch conditions—bounce, carry, and dry air in venues like Perth—can flatter speed.
- CPL fastest ball
- Alzarri Joseph’s high‑150s potential and late‑innings spells have produced the most eye‑catching CPL pace readings.
- The Hundred fastest ball
- Mark Wood and Jofra Archer have both posted mid‑150s peaks. The 100‑ball format, with short spells, rewards raw pace.
The fastest women bowlers in the world
The most underserved part of the conversation—until you stand near the boundary and feel it. Modern women’s fast bowling has surged with better strength programs, technical coaching, and professional contracts.
Fastest ball in women’s cricket
- Shabnim Ismail has been clocked at 132.1 km/h (82.1 mph) in a domestic T20. That reading stands as the fastest widely reported figure in the women’s game. Watch the tape: chest‑high to a set batter, seam upright, back‑knee scissoring through at release.
Elite women’s pace leaders and typical peaks
- Shabnim Ismail: 130+ km/h; consistent upper‑120s to low‑130s. Hostile bouncers with late shift.
- Lea Tahuhu: around 126–128 km/h; snap at release and strong front‑leg block.
- Ellyse Perry: 124–126 km/h in peak spells; strong seam position and late movement as defining traits.
- Tayla Vlaeminck: 120–125 km/h, with a coil‑and‑explode action; when fully fit, her brace and hip‑shoulder separation are exceptional.
- Shamilia Connell: around 121–123 km/h; hits a heavy length.
- Katherine Sciver-Brunt (formerly Brunt): around 120–122 km/h in her prime; uncompromising length at pace.
How speed translates into wicket-taking
Pace alone doesn’t win you games. It amplifies plans that already make sense:
- Short of a length to a batter who plants early is a trap; the ball is on them before they finish their backlift.
- A fast yorker that tails even half a bat’s width is lethal; at 150 km/h, a batter has scant time to adjust the toe of the bat.
- Get pace and accuracy together for three balls in an over, and the fourth—slower bouncer or wobble seam—wins the wicket. Batters recalibrate late; that’s where speed earns its keep.
Biomechanics of fast bowling: the anatomy of 150 km/h
I’ve watched enough slow‑motion footage from square-on cameras to know what doesn’t lie: sequencing. The body must fire in the right order.
- Run‑up rhythm: not a sprint, not a jog. The goal is to arrive balanced, hips tall, with time to coil.
- Counter‑rotation and hip‑shoulder separation: create torque. Think of a javelin throw: hips open first, shoulders follow. The stretch reflex adds free speed.
- Front‑leg brace: the single greatest on‑field predictor of elite pace. When the front leg locks at impact, the body has a firm post to rotate over; energy transfers through the kinetic chain and out into the ball.
- Wrist lag and late release: the harder and later the wrist unloads behind the ball, the truer and quicker the seam carries. Shoaib, Lee, Starc—all marry speed with a high‑quality wrist.
- Arm path and alignment: the best quicks are ruthlessly straight through the target line at release. Any lateral “leak” bleeds speed.
How to bowl faster without breaking down
Coaches at the top level preach the same battle plan, and it’s the one I’ve seen work:
- Strength before speed: posterior chain strength (glutes, hamstrings, lower back), single‑leg strength, and a rock‑solid core. Think trap‑bar deadlifts, split squats, Nordic curls, anti‑rotation work.
- Elasticity and stiffness: plyometrics (hops, bounds, box jumps) to train the spring you need for the front‑leg brace.
- Sprint mechanics: short accelerations, wicket‑to‑wicket sprints, and resisted runs. Bowlers with clean sprint form arrive at the crease with more balanced speed.
- Bowling volume control: quality over quantity. Two or three express spells in a session with full recovery trumps junk mileage.
- Technical anchors: drill the front‑foot block, arm path through a target, and wrist behind the ball. Film everything. The camera doesn’t lie.
- Recovery: sleep, hamstring care, soft‑tissue work, sensible workloads. The fastest bowler in the world is also the one who can still move tomorrow.
Pace vs swing: which is harder to play?
- Pure pace compresses reaction time. Mistakes multiply. Even a straight ball is a threat if the batter moves late.
- Swing—especially late swing—is precision chaos. At 145 km/h, a ball that shapes in the final third is almost unfair; at 150+, it’s downright cruel.
- The apex predator is a fast swing bowler. Mitchell Starc with the new ball. Jasprit Bumrah’s dip at the death. Wasim Akram at any speed.
The fastest yorker in the world and the fastest bouncer
- Fastest yorker: pinpoint records are scarce because “yorker” is a length category, not a separate metric. The consensus among analysts: Starc and Bumrah have produced yorkers in the 150+ range, and Lasith Malinga’s lower arm slot created deceptive speed that beat batters by angle as much as pace.
- Fastest bouncer: again, not consistently isolated in databases, but Shoaib Akhtar, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Mark Wood, and Anrich Nortje have all produced bouncers in the mid‑150s. The ones that bruise also ride awkwardly—hit the splice or the badge, not just the helmet.
Average bowling speeds by format (men)
- Tests: 130–138 km/h is common for “fast‑medium,” with elite quicks operating 140–150 and peaking above 150 when needed. Longer spells and older balls require efficiency over brute force.
- ODIs: 135–142 km/h baseline, with new‑ball bursts touching 145–150. Death overs see speed combined with variations.
- T20Is: the ideal is often short, violent spells. 140–150 baseline with peaks touching 150+ in second or third overs.
Average bowling speeds by format (women)
- International baseline commonly falls around 110–120 km/h, with leaders peaking above 125 and rare outliers like Shabnim Ismail breaching 130.
The “160 club”: who has topped 160 km/h?
- Shoaib Akhtar, Shaun Tait, Brett Lee, Jeff Thomson, and Mitchell Starc. That’s the short—and exclusive—roll call of elite, verified 160+ km/h deliveries under match conditions or, in Thomson’s case, legacy measurements that place him in that realm.
Country-by-country: the DNA of pace
- Pakistan: Whip and volatility. From Imran Khan’s hard lengths to Shoaib’s theatre, to the modern skidders—Pakistan produces athletes who sprint at the crease and trust their wrists.
- Australia: Repeatable violence. Fast bowling is a national craft, refined at academies and speed schools; the run-up is smooth, the brace uncompromising.
- England: Scapular strength and seam integrity. On green surfaces, the best English quicks bring enough pace and immaculate wrist position.
- New Zealand: Athletic fast bowlers sculpted for efficiency. Bond and Ferguson make every gear count.
- India: The pace revolution is real. Enhanced strength and conditioning, true pitches, and the rise of franchise cricket have produced quicks who now sit comfortably in the 145–155 window.
- South Africa: Bounce merchants. From Donald to Steyn, Rabada to Nortje—the length that kisses the splice is their calling card.
- West Indies: Rhythm and fire. The island sprinters’ DNA shows up in the fast-twitch explosion of Edwards and Joseph.
Fastest bowler in IPL history and other leagues: what to trust
Speed in franchise leagues is seductive; the feeds look slick, the numbers pop. But here’s the truth insiders accept:
- Different broadcasts, different placements. Even a few degrees off-axis can shade the reading.
- League archives sometimes differ from team analysts’ logs. When in doubt, triangulate: official league communication, reputable broadcasters, and, when available, Hawk‑Eye overlays.
With that in mind:
- IPL: Umran Malik’s 157 km/h and Anrich Nortje’s 156.22 km/h are widely cited. Shaun Tait’s 157.7 km/h also appears in historical lists. The ballpark for “fastest in IPL” lives between 156 and 158.
- PSL: Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain have been the headline speedsters, touching and surpassing mid‑150s. Naseem Shah has climbed steadily into the low‑150s.
- BBL: Mid‑150s are common for the top tier. Shaun Tait’s peak readings remain a reference point; overseas quicks have matched them on the fastest tracks.
- CPL and The Hundred: The absolute peaks tend to sit just below IPL/BBL maxima, but the top bowlers—Ferguson, Wood, Archer, Alzarri—still hit mid‑150s.
Tactics at 150 km/h: how captains weaponize speed
- New ball: give your express quick two overs to sniff the surface and bounce out an opener. Short mid‑wicket and leg gully in play. Square leg back for the hook.
- Consolation plan: if the new ball doesn’t jag, go around the wicket to cramp the batter and change his eyeline. Hard length becomes unplayable when the angle is fierce.
- Middle overs: long leg and deep square for the bait bouncer, then the heavy full ball at the stumps. If it swings, pull mid‑off a fraction wider—make the drive riskier.
- Death: pace on/pace off. A true 150 km/h yorker sets up the 116 km/h slower ball. The second is deadlier because the first drew a hurried swing.
Safety and the ethics of speed
Modern pace comes with modern responsibility:
- Helmets: better shells, stronger grilles, improved neck protection.
- Bowlers’ backs: workload management is not a buzzword—it’s how a 155 km/h bowler lasts an entire season. Overs monitoring, travel recovery, and gym programming are as integral as skill work.
The mph↔km/h speed converter for cricket
Formulae
- km/h = mph × 1.60934
- mph = km/h × 0.621371
Quick reference
- 145 km/h ≈ 90.1 mph
- 150 km/h ≈ 93.2 mph
- 155 km/h ≈ 96.3 mph
- 160 km/h ≈ 99.4 mph
- 95 mph ≈ 152.9 km/h
- 100 mph ≈ 160.9 km/h
Methodology: what this page counts as “record”
- Match deliveries with verified radar/Hawk‑Eye, ideally in international cricket or top‑tier franchise leagues.
- Legacy marks (Jeff Thomson, Andy Roberts) are included with explicit flags about measurement context.
- Tournament records are treated with caution: when multiple credible numbers exist, they’re presented as a range with sources referenced by competition norms.
Player spotlights: how the quickest generate speed
- Shoaib Akhtar
- The release: a late, violent whip with the wrist fully behind the ball.
- The run-up: long, accelerating, and rhythmic; he hit the crease like a sprinter changing gears.
- The seam: just enough wobble that batters never felt safe defending straight.
- Brett Lee
- Pure sequencing. Every coach points to Lee’s classical alignment: head over front knee, strong brace, tall chest.
- His bouncer was a blueprint—steepling, directed at the badge, and followed by a fuller ball that felt even faster.
- Shaun Tait
- The sling made batters misread length; the ball got on them quicker than the eye suggested.
- High‑risk mechanics, yes, but the payoff was legitimate 100 mph territory.
- Jeff Thomson
- A raw, catapulting action from a different technological era. Despite legacy measurement caveats, the consensus among batters who faced him is clear: it felt brutally fast.
- Mitchell Starc
- Left‑arm angle plus late swing. He can deliver yorkers that start middle-and-leg and finish clipping off. When the ball is pink or white and the wrist is loaded, look out.
- Mark Wood
- Shorter run-up, massive power through the crease, superb front‑leg block. The ball rises sharply in the final third; batters talk about the “surprise” of his length.
- Lockie Ferguson
- Compact gather, firm brace, and a wrist that stays behind the ball longer than most. His bouncer follows the batter.
- Anrich Nortje
- Effortless tempo into a heavy hit at the crease. When his timing is right, the screen displays 152 and batters swear it felt like more.
- Jofra Archer
- Deceptive speed. Minimal visible effort, maximum bite off the surface. The ball kisses the splice even at back-of-a-length.
- Umran Malik
- Gifted with top‑end raw speed. The next phase is control: learning when to throttle back to attack twice as quickly with a surprise 155 ball.
- Haris Rauf
- Skiddy pace with a flat trajectory. His short ball doesn’t lift extravagantly; it hurries. In T20, that’s a nightmare.
The difference between speed and “heavy ball”
If you’ve ever kept wicket to a true quick, you know the difference. Two balls can both read 145 km/h. One thuds into the gloves and pushes you back; the other “arrives” with surprising softness. What creates the heavy ball?
- Seam tilt and backspin: a truer seam and late drop can add perceived weight.
- Length and lift: if the ball jumps from a hard length, the batter’s contact point is less ideal—off the high splice or handle.
- Release height: a fraction taller at release can change the strike point and the feel of impact.
Fastest Indian bowler: where the bar sits now
India’s pace stocks are deeper than ever. On a flat day, the attack still offers 140‑plus continuity; on a juicy deck, there’s genuine fire.
- Fastest Indian top seed: Umran Malik, with peak numbers around 157 km/h. The project now is control—channel the pace into test‑match lengths and repeatable shapes.
- Others in the mix: Jasprit Bumrah’s unique action can still breach 150 when needed, with his natural speed masked by deceptive dip. Mohammed Shami’s heavy ball lives in the 140s but bites harder than the number suggests. Mohammed Siraj can push into the low‑150s with a seam that lands like a tack.
Fastest Pakistani bowler: the gold standard
- Shoaib Akhtar’s 161.3 is still the global standard. Pakistan’s next wave—Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi—speaks to a pipeline that remains as lively as ever.
Fastest Australian bowler: a crowded podium
- Shaun Tait and Brett Lee both hit the 100 mph region. Mitchell Starc’s 160.4 gives him the left‑arm crown and a legitimate claim as Australia’s most complete speed weapon: pace, yorker, swing.
Fastest English bowler: the modern spike
- Mark Wood’s peak mid‑150s put him at the top of England’s speed charts, with Jofra Archer’s uptick when healthy making them a one‑two punch to rival any era.
Fastest New Zealand bowler: the case for Lockie versus Bond
- Shane Bond delivered 156.4 at his zenith. Lockie Ferguson has touched the high‑150s and sits in the same breath when healthy and fresh.
Fastest South African bowler: the new lineage
- Anrich Nortje’s mid‑150s stand with the best of the Proteas era. Dale Steyn, while not always at the absolute top of the speed charts, paired 150+ with movement that defined a generation. Gerald Coetzee is the modern enforcer with upside.
How accurate are cricket speed guns?
Accurate enough to set records, but not infallible. From an analyst’s lens:
- Expect a tolerance of around ±0.5–1.0 km/h on well‑placed, calibrated setups.
- Apparent discrepancies across venues are often about placement angles and calibration rather than system failure.
- Trust patterns more than single spikes: a bowler pinging 148, 149, 150, and then “157” out of nowhere raises a flag.
Why 150 km/h is a true threshold
- Reaction time for a 150 km/h ball traveling approximately 20 meters of flight is a blink: about half a second from release to contact. Subtract pickup, backlift, and footwork—batters are operating on instinct.
- The tactical dividends multiply. Edges carry. Mistimed hooks loop to fine leg. Pads don’t get out of the way.
How to read a speed chart like a pro
- First over: ignore the first two balls. The model and the bowler are both settling.
- Third and fourth overs: you’ll see the true peak, then a tactical decision—keep the throttle open or shift to heavy lengths at a slightly lower pace.
- Death overs: raw numbers sometimes dip as bowlers chase accuracy and variation. Expect pace spikes only when bowlers go to the surprise bumper or a surprise full‑pelt ball.
The art of sustaining pace through a match
- Spell design: top bowlers structure their energy—first spell establishes threat, second spell targets a batter’s weakness, late spell toys with tempo.
- Surfaces: a hard Kookaburra or Dukes ball on a firm surface returns more speed; sluggish, abrasive pitches bleed velocity. The best quicks change angles rather than chase lost kilometers.
FAQs
Who bowled the fastest ball in cricket?
Shoaib Akhtar, 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph), recorded at Cape Town during a World Cup match.
Has anyone broken Shoaib Akhtar’s record?
No. Several bowlers have entered the 160 km/h bracket, but Akhtar’s 161.3 remains the benchmark under modern broadcast conditions.
Who is the fastest bowler in the world right now?
Among active players, Mark Wood, Lockie Ferguson, Anrich Nortje, Haris Rauf, Mitchell Starc, Jofra Archer, and Umran Malik are the consistent pace leaders, regularly operating in the 150–155 km/h window with peaks beyond that.
What is considered a fast bowling speed?
Anything above 140 km/h (87 mph) is “fast” by international standards. Above 150 km/h (93 mph) is “express.”
How accurate are cricket speed guns?
They’re reliable when calibrated and correctly positioned, typically accurate within about a kilometer per hour. Hawk‑Eye offers additional validation where used.
Who is the fastest bowler in women’s cricket?
Shabnim Ismail, with a widely reported top speed of 132.1 km/h (82.1 mph) in a domestic T20.
Is 100 mph a big deal in cricket?
It’s a milestone as much as a measurement. Very few bowlers have recorded deliveries at or beyond 100 mph (160.9 km/h). It’s rare, hard on the body, and thrilling to watch.
List of 160 km/h deliveries in cricket
Shoaib Akhtar (161.3), Shaun Tait (161.1), Brett Lee (161.1), Jeff Thomson (160.6, legacy), Mitchell Starc (160.4). These are the canonical entries.
How to convert mph to km/h for bowling speed
km/h = mph × 1.60934. So 95 mph is about 153 km/h; 100 mph is about 161 km/h.
The craft behind the numbers: a coach’s checklist for elite pace
When coaches decide whether a young quick can live in the 150s, they look for:
- Sprint profile: can they hold their top speed for a 25–30 meter approach without breaking form?
- Bracing capacity: does the front leg post up or collapse? A collapsing front leg bleeds speed and stresses the back.
- Thoracic mobility and trunk strength: needed to create and withstand hip‑shoulder separation.
- Wrist integrity: late, strong, behind the ball. Sloppy wrists leak speed and shape.
- Recovery behaviors: express pace without recovery is a one‑week wonder. Express pace with recovery becomes a career.
Data you can trust without a spreadsheet overload
- All‑time fastest: Shoaib Akhtar, 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph).
- Test record pace: Mitchell Starc, 160.4 km/h (99.7 mph).
- The 160 club: five men, across different eras and conditions.
- Modern pace leaders: Wood, Ferguson, Nortje, Rauf, Starc, Archer, Umran—each capable of mid‑150s.
- IPL apex zone: mid‑150s to upper‑150s; Umran Malik, Anrich Nortje, and Shaun Tait hold the headline figures depending on the archive.
- Women’s apex: Shabnim Ismail at 132.1 km/h (82.1 mph).
A short, practical table: common cricket speeds
| km/h | mph |
|---|---|
| 140 km/h | 86.99 mph |
| 145 km/h | 90.10 mph |
| 150 km/h | 93.21 mph |
| 155 km/h | 96.32 mph |
| 160 km/h | 99.42 mph |
| 100 mph | 160.93 km/h |
Why some deliveries “look” faster than their speed
- Sightlines: a camera at mid‑wicket can make a ball look slower; the behind‑bowler camera accentuates speed.
- Seam presentation: a wobbly seam can make batters misjudge the bounce, creating the illusion of extra pace.
- Angle: around-the-wicket missiles feel faster because the ball is at the body earlier.
The future of raw pace
- Better athlete development: Olympic‑grade sprint work and force‑plate analysis are now standard for top teams.
- Smarter workloads: bowling coaches build “speed blocks” in training phases to peak at the right moment.
- Broader talent pools: franchise leagues identify and nurture pace specialists earlier, with skill coaches guiding control without sanding down speed.
Closing thoughts: what “world’s fastest bowler” really measures
The radar doesn’t capture fear. It can’t show a batter retreating into leg stump as a ball whistles past the splice, or the sound of the ball thudding into the keeper’s gloves like a door slammed in a quiet room. The fastest bowler in the world is more than a number on a screen; it’s a presence that changes how teams plan and how batters breathe.
Still, numbers matter. They give pace its shape in history. Shoaib Akhtar at 161.3 km/h is a summit we all recognize; Mitchell Starc’s 160.4 in a Test proves that speed can coexist with skill and stamina; today’s leaders—Wood, Ferguson, Nortje, Archer, Rauf, Starc, Umran—show that the well of pace is far from dry. And on the women’s side, Shabnim Ismail’s 132.1 km/h is not a ceiling but a signpost pointing to where the game is going.
Watch enough fast bowling from a few meters off the rope and you learn to separate numbers from noise. The real test is simple: does the ball change the batter’s mind? At 155 km/h, it usually does. At 160, it always does. That’s where the legend of the world’s fastest bowler lives—on the line between human reaction and human audacity.
