The Fastest Bowler ever?

[sayon basak]

Here's a list of fast deliveries in 1992-2002

International Bowling Speeds

 

[DrWolverine]

Allan Donald bowled more than 80000 balls in his career(First Class, ODIs and Tests), that’s a lot for someone who bowled very fast.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Ahthar reached 160 kmph 2 times but Lee reached 6 times.Also does anyone remember Sami 162 kmph ball which was miscalculated

Honestly, this sounds like a "6 feet 180 cm" thing to me

 

[sayon basak]

Honestly, this sounds like a "6 feet 180 cm" thing to me

Anybody can bowl 160 kmph (including me).

But who can bowl 162 kmph?

 

[Fanboy375]

Anybody can bowl 160 kmph (including me).

But who can bowl 162 kmph?

Some say Atul Sharma

 

[number11]

Nothing is an exhilirating as raw pace in cricket. Akhtar was lightening, Thommo, Holding, Lee. Amongst those who had full careers - those 4 stand out for me for their raw pace.

 

[honestbharani]

Tait was erratic and very entertaining to watch

There was a brief time in 2007 and 2008 when it seemed like Tait had figured out bowling across formats.

But Lara pulling 155+ ball on his chest betweem mid-on and mid-wicket will remain an iconic shot for me. It was in the 2007 WC IIRC.

 

[DrWolverine]

There was a brief time in 2007 and 2008 when it seemed like Tait had figured out bowling across formats.

But Lara pulling 155+ ball on his chest betweem mid-on and mid-wicket will remain an iconic shot for me. It was in the 2007 WC IIRC.

I remember the match too

WI was struggling and the other batsmen were getting out. Lara made around 80+ but he was so effortless and made Aus bowling “scared for a while. I remember the commentator saying that Ponting is worried that the batting genius may win the match single handedly.

 

[honestbharani]

To answer the poll question, Shoaib easily.

His bowling in that 1998-2002 period was just something else.

 

[sayon basak]

There was a brief time in 2007 and 2008 when it seemed like Tait had figured out bowling across formats.

But Lara pulling 155+ ball on his chest betweem mid-on and mid-wicket will remain an iconic shot for me. It was in the 2007 WC IIRC.

Couldn't find it. Found this tho.

 

[DrWolverine]

I always felt that Shaun Tait was faster than Brett Lee and as fast as Shoaib Akhtar.

1A - Shoaib
1B - Tait
2 - Lee

 

[honestbharani]

Couldn't find it. Found this tho.

haha.. guess my memory is playing tricks with me. That was the shot but for some reason I thought it was 150+ when it was 146. But that next ball when he comes down the track to a 152 kph thunderbolt and then pats it down will do just as well to showcase his genius.

 

[sayon basak]

The more I think about it, the more it seems stupid to bowl at such express pace?

I believe Thommo once said, "I never wanted to swing the ball. I just wanted to bowl as fast as I could".
Like why? Are you dumb? Why would you just bowl fast and risk your career instead of doing something legitimate with the bowl?

 

[DrWolverine]

I believe Thommo once said, "I never wanted to swing the ball. I just wanted to bowl as fast as I could".

Like why? Are you dumb?

Shoaib describes how his health is bad because of all the express bowling he did when he was young

 

[Patience and Accuracy+Gut]

The more I think about it, the more it seems stupid to bowl at such express pace?

I believe Thommo once said, "I never wanted to swing the ball. I just wanted to bowl as fast as I could".
Like why? Are you dumb? Why would you just bowl fast and risk your career instead of doing something legitimate with the bowl?

It’s not just about stats or having a long career. It’s just total different feeling when you have the power to dominate and see the other guy shaking. No stats can ever match that.

 

[sayon basak]

It’s not just about stats or having a long career. It’s just total different feeling when you have the power to dominate and see the other guy shaking. No stats can ever match that.

Who were more "dominant" on average? Fast Medium bowlers like McGrath/Hadlee or express quicks like Akhtar/Lee?

And my point was not about bowling too fast. It's cool. But are you really telling me it's more worthy to bowl just fast (and potentially risk your career) than actually trying to swing and seam the ball and work a bit on your accuracy?

 

[Fanboy375]

There was a brief time in 2007 and 2008 when it seemed like Tait had figured out bowling across formats.

But Lara pulling 155+ ball on his chest betweem mid-on and mid-wicket will remain an iconic shot for me. It was in the 2007 WC IIRC.

Jayasuriya once hit a 158 Lee ball for six in 2003 wc

 

[sayon basak]

Jayasuriya once hit a 158 Lee ball for six in 2003 wc

Just look at the flick of the wrist! Unreal stuff!

 

[shortpitched713]

To be honest, extrme pace doesn't preclude the ability to get a lot of movement.

in fact Shoaib showed in his best spells, that the faster the pace, the more insane reverse swing you had the potential to bowl.

Some of his best ever swinging yorkers were freakish even by Waqar standards, and to think they were coming in a yard quicker too.

 

[Patience and Accuracy+Gut]

Who were more "dominant" on average? Fast Medium bowlers like McGrath/Hadlee or express quicks like Akhtar/Lee?

And my point was not about bowling too fast. It's cool. But are you really telling me it's more worthy to bowl just fast (and potentially risk your career) than actually trying to swing and seam the ball and work a bit on your accuracy?

It’s not about just average or stats. As great as McGrath was, I would rather be a Thomson than be McGrath. And ya Thommo was wayy more dominant than McGrath. People feared Thommo, that’s dominance. They thought their life was gonna end, that’s dominance.

Not everyone thinks the same way.No amount of stats can ever give you the same level of personal satisfaction. In the end that’s why you play cricket for.