Cricket has always celebrated raw speed. Nothing sends a shiver down a batsman’s spine quite like a 100+ mph thunderbolt whistling past the bat or thudding into the gloves of the keeper. In an era when fast bowlers ruled the game, legends like Shoaib Akhtar, Brett Lee, and Shaun Tait turned matches into spectacles of sheer velocity.
A popular YouTube compilation by Planet Cricket captures exactly that magic. Titled 10 Fastest Bowls In Cricket History, the video showcases ten jaw-dropping deliveries ranked by recorded speed in kilometers per hour (KPH). With dramatic slow-motion replays, crowd roars, and commentator gasps, it reminds us why fast bowling remains one of cricket’s most thrilling arts.
Here’s the complete countdown straight from the video — from the “slowest” of the elite pack to the absolute lightning that still holds its place among the fastest ever bowled.
10. Shane Bond – 153.0 KPH
New Zealand’s express paceman Shane Bond opens the list with a searing delivery that already sits well above most bowlers’ top speeds. Bond’s high-arm action and smooth run-up made him a nightmare for batsmen in the early 2000s. At 153 km/h, this ball showcased the kind of pace that forced fielders to stand deeper and batsmen to think twice before playing forward.
9. Muhammad Sami – 156.4 KPH
Pakistan’s Muhammad Sami delivers the next rocket at 156.4 km/h. Commentators in the clip can be heard reacting instantly to the raw speed: “156.4 kilometers per hour!” Sami’s slingy action added extra zip, making the ball appear even quicker off the pitch.
8. Mitchell Johnson – 156.8 KPH
Australia’s Mitchell Johnson, famous for his intimidating stare and left-arm angle, clocks 156.8 km/h. Johnson’s pace was often paired with vicious bounce, turning good deliveries into unplayable ones — exactly what you see in this highlight.
7. Fidel Edwards – 157.7 KPH
West Indies firebrand Fidel Edwards storms in at 157.7 km/h. The video captures the moment the ball crashes into the stumps or pads, with one clip showing Edwards dismissing a top-order batsman (including a memorable moment against AB de Villiers). His short run-up and whippy action generated frightening speed from seemingly nowhere.
6. Andy Roberts – 159.5 KPH
Antigua’s Andy Roberts, one of the original fearsome West Indian pacemen of the 1970s, fires a 159.5 km/h bouncer. The commentary praises it as “another bouncer — what a good delivery there that wasn’t too short.” Roberts’ towering frame and smooth action made him one of the most respected fast bowlers of his generation.
5. Jeff Thomson – 160.0 KPH
Australian legend Jeff Thomson (often called “Thommo”) hits exactly 160 km/h. The clip highlights how difficult it was to pick his deliveries: “You can hardly see where the ball is coming from sometimes between his legs.” Thomson’s slinging, low-arm action in the 1970s terrified England and the world.
4. Mitchell Starc – 160.4 KPH
Modern-day left-arm express Mitchell Starc unleashes a lethal yorker at 160.4 km/h. Commentators call it “the best yorker in world cricket right there” — around 100 miles per hour and perfectly executed. Starc’s ability to bowl toe-crushing yorkers at this speed remains unmatched in the current era.
3. Shaun Tait – 160.7 KPH
Australia’s Shaun Tait, nicknamed “The Wild Thing,” clocks 160.7 km/h. The video erupts with commentary: “It’s a hundred miles an hour — a cricket ball does not get bowled faster than that!” Tait’s wild, long hair and explosive run-up made every delivery an event.
2. Brett Lee – 161.0 KPH
The “Binga” himself — Brett Lee — delivers at a blistering 161.0 km/h. The crowd and commentators go wild: “160 k’s… that is 100 miles an hour!” Lee’s graceful yet terrifying action, combined with swing and accuracy, made him a global superstar and one of the most loved fast bowlers in cricket history.
1. Shoaib Akhtar – 161.3 KPH
The Rawalpindi Express takes the crown. Shoaib Akhtar’s legendary delivery registers at 161.3 km/h — the fastest in this elite list. As the ball rockets down the pitch, the commentary explodes: “161… it is getting faster, can you believe it!” and references the magic 100.2 miles-per-hour mark. Shoaib’s unique slinging action and raw power made him the undisputed king of pace during his peak.
Why These Deliveries Still Give Chills
These ten balls represent more than just numbers on a speed gun. They symbolize an era when fast bowlers didn’t just take wickets — they dominated minds. From the helmet-less 1970s battles to the high-tech 2010s, each delivery in the Planet Cricket video comes with roaring crowds, stunned batsmen, and commentators struggling to keep up with the pace.
Watching the compilation feels like a time capsule of cricket’s most exhilarating moments. Whether it’s Thommo’s invisible ball, Starc’s death yorker, or Shoaib’s record-breaking thunderbolt, these deliveries remind us why cricket fans worldwide still debate the greatest fast bowlers of all time.
Watch the full video here: 10 Fastest Bowls In Cricket History
Who’s your favorite express bowler from this list? Drop your thoughts in the comments — and let us know if you think any modern star like Umran Malik or Jofra Archer can break into this elite club one day!
