Top 10 Fastest Bowlers Currently In International Cricket

Fast bowling is an art which only a few possess. It requires a tremendous amount of energy and is very injury prone. Bowling quick is also a very difficult task and the bowlers need to undergo a lot to master this art.

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While the pace has relatively gone down, bowlers still click 150 kmph mark on a consistent basis. While Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan was the first to breach the 100mph barrier officially, the world cricket has witnessed many lethal fast bowlers.

The current generation bowlers can also bowl at a good pace making things tough for the batsmen across the globe.

We at Cricket Addictor will take a look at the top ten fastest bowlers among the modern-day pacers in international cricket:

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10. Pat Cummins – 151 KMPH

In the wake of Australia’s ball-tampering scandal, Pat Cummins became arguably the nation’s shining light in a cricketing sense. He has led the bowling unit with utmost sincerity and currently is one of the best fast bowlers in the business.

Cummins had to sit out for four years after making his debut in 2011 due to a deadly injury. However, once he came back in the scene, Cummins has made the most of the opportunity. His ability to swing the ball at a good pace makes him a rare commodity.

The right-arm fast bowler who consistently clicks 145 kmph bowled his fastest when he touched the 151 kmph mark. Cummins, who is currently the No 1 Test bowler will hope to keep up his form and lead Australia’s attack in the coming years.

9. Mohammad Amir – 151.9 KMPH

When Mohammad Amir bursts onto the international scene, he was the hottest property in world cricket. However, his involvement in spot-fixing halted his career and he came back to the scene after serving a five-year ban imposed by Pakistan Cricket Board.

The left-arm fast bowler is a regular to clock 145s and on his return, he single-handedly tore apart Indian batting during the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017. In that game, Amir clocked 151.9 kmph which is one of the fastest deliveries bowled by modern-day cricketers.

Recently, the 27-year-old fast bowler decided to step down from Test cricket to prolong his career in the limited-overs format.

8. Umesh Yadav – 152.5 KMPH

As a fast bowler, Umesh Yadav has many skills: he regularly bowls at over 140kph, moves the ball both ways, and has a pretty effective bouncer. He is currently one of the fastest Indian pacers who can use the seam friendly wickets to great effect.

Moreover, Umesh is one of the few Indian bowlers to have clocked 150 kmph. He bowled a 152.5 kph speed delivery to Tillakaratne Dilshan in Brisbane during the Commonwealth Bank Series in 2012.

The fast bowler from Vidarbha recently made an impeccable return to the Test side against South Africa. Umesh will hope to build on the same and make a place in the playing XI.

7. Kemar Roach – 152.7 KMPH

At well under six feet, Kemar Roach doesn’t have the height of some of the earlier West Indian greats, but he has extreme pace, consistently touching the late 140s (kmph). He can also skid on to batsmen quicker than they realise.

Roach has a good bowling action helps him generate tremendous ball speed from a short runup. His fastest ball came during the ICC World Cup 2019 when he bowled a 152.7 kmph delivery to take his name to the list of fastest deliveries bowled by fast bowlers.

The 31-year-old fast bowler is currently the brightest star in the West Indies attack and will hope to lead the attack in the near future.

6. James Pattinson – 153 KMPH

During his start-stop career, Pattinson has been making the news for being quick swinging the ball off the deck. His fastest delivery came during 2011-12 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. In the first match of the series, Pattinson bowled a 153kmph delivery to Rahul Dravid.

He troubled the Indian batters during the series with his pace. Pattinson, who has regained fitness will be keen to be a part of the playing XI in the upcoming summer.

5. Jasprit Bumrah – 153 KMPH

An unnatural talent, Jasprit Bumrah has gone up the ranks quickly to be India’s best bowler across formats. His variations are a key aspect to his game which makes him one of the greats of the current generation.

Besides, Bumrah’s toe-crushing yorkers at a good pace make him a valuable addition to any team. Bumrah is regular with 140+ clicks but he bowled his fastest delivery when he sent down a 153 kmph delivery during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2018-19.

With Bumrah very young, he will play a significant role for India over the years to come and fast bowling to a very different level.

4. Adam Milne – 153.2 KMPH

A lanky right-arm fast bowler, Adam Milne, impressed with his pace during Champions League in 2010. Quickly, he was touted as New Zealand’s fastest bowler since Shane Bond. Although he has been in and out of the side, Milne has bowled his heart whenever an opportunity has come his way.

Milne, who made his T20I debut in 2010 has been a natural quick bowler. He clocked his highest speed delivery of 153.2 kph in a T20I game against West Indies in Eden Park. This is also the fourth fastest delivery among modern cricketers.

Marred with consistent injuries, Milne has played only 40 ODIs and 21 T20Is for the Kiwis.

3. Wahab Riaz – 154.5 KMPH

Although lacked consistency, Wahab Riaz when in rhythm can tear apart any batting unit across the globe. His ability to bowl quick and bounce the batsmen make him one of the deadliest in the business.

His spell against Australia batter Shane Watson during the 2015 ICC World Cup is still fresh in everybody’s mind. He bowled bouncers to Watson at a good pace and followed it with a staredown to make it an exciting encounter.

However, Riaz’s fastest ball didn’t come in that match. The left-arm pacer bowled a 154.5 kph thunderbolt against India which is the third-fastest ball bowled by a bowler. Despite his hostile bowling, Pakistan lost the match to India.

2. Jofra Archer – 155 KMPH

Jofra Archer has rapidly become one of the most exciting young talents across the globe. His growth culminated in England lifting their first World Cup trophy. Archer played a significant role as he returned with the highest wickets from his side.

Meanwhile, the Barbados-born cricketer is one of the fastest bowlers in the business. Archer made Australia think on his Test debut in the Ashes 2019 at the Lord’s in London. He started with a 142 kmph delivery but riled it up to 151 kmph and ended the over with a 155 kph delivery.

With age by his side, Archer is going to be the next big thing in England cricket.

1. Mitchell Starc – 160.4 KMPH

A left-armer Mitchell Starc has been a staple of Australia’s attack for most of the past decade and seems set to remain so for the foreseeable future. His ability to bowl quick and swing the ball at the same time sets him apart from the rest. Starc bowls at an average speed of 145kmph, but has also clicked 160 on few occasions.

In a game against New Zealand, Starc clocked 160.4 kmph at the WACA in Perth. He bowled that delivery to veteran Kiwi batsman Ross Taylor, who was batting at 140 back them which is the fastest delivery bowled by a bowler in today’s world.

Meanwhile, Starc has been one of the best in the business in modern-day cricket. He has been the highest wicket-taker in two consecutive World Cup and will hope to lead Australia to more glory.