A fast bowler doesn’t necessarily require pace to outsmart the batsman. He can use other important components of ‘seam and swing’ techniques to unsettle the batsmen as well. There are bowlers who can swing the ball both ways and have succeeded in taking wickets when it mattered the most.
A top-tier fast bowler is one who can keep the batters in check. The fastest bowler is one who can generate immense pace. We have seen bowlers troubling the batters with sheer pace as some batters weren’t that successful in handling those lightning-fast deliveries.
The cricket fraternity has seen countless fast bowlers who went on to carve out a niche for themselves in international cricket. We will now take a look at the top three fastest bowlers in the history of cricket.
1. Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar is popularly known as “Rawalpindi Express”. The former Pakistani speedster troubled the batters with his immaculate pace during the playing days of his cricketing career. He recorded the fastest delivery of 161.3 km/hr (100.2 mph) against the England cricket team in 2003. He took 178 wickets in Tests, 247 wickets in ODIs and 19 wickets in T20Is.
2. Shaun Tait
Shaun Tait comes second on the list in terms of bowling the fastest ball in the history of cricket. The former Australian fast bowler has unsettled the opposition batters with his blistering pace. He clocked 161.1 km/hr (100.1 mph) against the England cricket team in 2010. The former Australian fast bowler took five wickets in Tests, 62 wickets in ODIs and 28 wickets in the shortest format of the game.
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3. Brett Lee
Brett Lee was one of the most successful fast bowlers in the history of the sport. He was one of the important pillars of Australian cricket history and has well and truly perfected the art of taking crucial wickets for the team. Brett Lee clocked 161.1 km/hr (100.1 mph) against New Zealand in 2005. The former Australian spearhead took 310 wickets in Tests, 380 wickets in ODIs and 28 wickets in T20Is.
