Top 10 Fastest Balls In Cricket History
Published - 12 May 2025, 12:10 PM | Updated - 12 May 2025, 02:08 PM

Table of Contents
There have been numerous quality fast bowlers who have played the game and have broken certain records. In this article, we will look at the top ten fastest balls bowled in cricket history.
Top 10 Fastest Balls In Cricket History
1. Shoaib Akhtar 161.3 KPH
Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar holds the record for bowling the fastest delivery in the history of cricket. Akhtar bowled a 161.3 KPH cherry during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa against England.
2. Shaun Tait 161.1 KPH
Shaun Tait once bowled a ball at 161.1 KPH while playing for Australia against arch-rivals England in 2010, which happens to be the second-fastest ball in cricket history.
Although Shaun Tait wasn't able to play a lot of games for Australia, the fast bowler did make a name for himself due to his ability to rush the batters.
3. Brett Lee 161.1 KPH
Binga, as he is famously known, finds his name in the elite list of fastest balls bowled in the sport. Like Tait, he also bowled a delivery at 161.1 KPH against New Zealand in 2005.
4. Jeffrey Thomson 160.6 KPH
Australia is known for producing good fast bowlers who can bowl fast and have the ability to rattle the opposition through their never-say-die attitude, and that's exactly what Jeffrey Thomson was like.
The legendary fast bowler once bowled a ball at 160.6 KPH against an intimidating West Indies batting lineup in 1975.
5. Mitchell Starc 160.4 KPH
Another Australian fast bowler holds the record for bowling the fastest delivery in cricket history, and his name is Mitchell Starc, who bowled a 160.4 KPH ball against New Zealand in 2015.
6. Mitchell Johnson 159.8 KPH
Mitchell Johnson made the world take note of him for his fierce spell in the 2013 Ashes series. It was during this period when he bowled a 159.8 KPH delivery.
7. Fidel Edwards 159.7 KPH
Fidel Edwards has his name registered among the bowlers who have bowled the fastest balls in cricket with a 159.7 KPH ball, which he bowled against South Africa in 2003.
Edwards, courtesy of his slingy bowling action, used to hurry the batters, with them finding it difficult to judge the pace of the delivery due to the awkward angle at which the ball came at them.
8. Andy Roberts 159.5 KPH
The West Indian fast bowlers wreaked havoc among the opposition bowlers in the 1970s, with their pace and accuracy, As a result, the team managed to win two World Cups without losing a game and was invincible at home.
The only team that came close to challenging them was Australia. In one such instance, fast bowler Andy Roberts bowled a 159.5 KPH delivery during a game between West Indies and Australia, which is one of the fastest balls in cricket's rich history.
9. Mohammad Sami 159.4 KPH
Once known as the next big thing in Pakistan cricket, Sami bowled a rollicking 159.4 KPH delivery against Zimbabwe in 2003. The fast bowler received the praise of experts and was destined to achieve big things.
But what was a promising career in all formats of the game was cut short due to injuries.
10. Shane Bond 159.4 KPH
The former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond played in an era that had a plethora of genuine fast bowlers like Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee. Like Akhtar and Lee Bond bowled a 159.4 KPH delivery against India in 2003.
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Tagged:
Shoaib Akhtar Shaun Tait Brett Lee Mitchell Starc Shane Bond Mitchell Johnson Fidel Edwards Andy Roberts Mohammad Sami