Michael Clarke Reveals The Quickest Bowler He Faced In His International Career

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has been amongst the elite batsman to emerge from the nation. Michael Clarke made a Test century on his debut in India in 2004 and became part of the side that registered a series victory in the sub-continent. Gradually, he became the bedrock of the middle-order for the best part of the decade and retired in 2015 on a high. Meanwhile, the New South Wales lad has named the fastest bowler he ever faced.

Michael Clarke had faced some of the best fast bowlers during his 11-year international career. The right-handed batsman has faced the likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir, James Anderson, Zaheer Khan, Stuart Broad, Steve Harmison, Simon Jones, Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, and many more. During Clarke’s early days, Australia boasted of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Shaun Tait, Michael Kasprowicz.

In the 40-year old’s twilight years, the men in yellow had the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, and Pat Cummins. Thus, Micheal Clarke had faced several incredible fast bowlers and worked his way to greatness. He averaged 48.33 in 115 Tests, scoring 8643 runs and retired at the end of the 2015 Ashes in England. Clarke quit ODI cricket the same year after playing a match-winning knock in the World Cup final against New Zealand. He played 245 ODIs and averaged 44.59 and was part of two World Cup-winning teams.

Shoaib Akhtar was the fastest I have faced: Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke underlined that Pakistan‘s Shoaib Akhtar was the quickest he faced during his career as he could clock 160. The 40-year old England’s Andrew Flintoff was quick for 12 overs, Brett Lee was fast; however, Shoaib Akhtar was a cut above all. He also highlighted that Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie were fast, but the Rawalpindi Express was head and shoulders above all in terms of speed.

“Shoaib Akhtar was the fastest I have faced. He could bowl 160. Different type of bowler who could bowl quick for three overs. Flintoff was quick for 12 overs. Lee was quick. Shoaib was quicker. Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie were fast. But Shoaib Akhtar was the fastest,” Clarke said on the Uncensored Podcast.

Also Read: PSL 6: Shahid Afridi Ruled Out Of The Tournament Due To Back Injury