Top 5 all-time fastest male bowlers in world cricket

It is never easy to determine who the fastest bowler in the world is. Should the decision be made on average pace over a period of time, or the quickest balls bowled?
For the purpose of this article, I am looking at the fastest deliveries ever to be bowled in the game of cricket and accordingly ranking the fastest bowlers to play the game.

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Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar is undoubtedly the fastest bowler in the world to have ever played the game of cricket and currently holds the record for the quickest delivery ever bowled in the game. During the 2003 World Cup, Akhtar clocked the fastest delivery ever bowled. It was the perfect event: a World Cup game in Cape Town against the mighty English. Akhtar recorded a stunning pace of 161.3 kmph to stun the cricketing world.
Shoaib Akhtar was not only quick, but incredibly accurate as well, which made him a lethal bowler. He took over 400 international wickets, most of which resulted from his raw pace.

Shaun Tait

Among all the bowlers in this list, Shaun Tait would probably be the most wayward of the lot. Although his radar was off at times, Tait was speedy and could be lethal on his day. He recorded his fastest-ever ball in a game against England in 2010. He clocked an impressive 161.1 kmph and bowled the second-fastest delivery ever to be bowled in the game of cricket, narrowly missing out on Akhtar’s record.
Tait picked up over a hundred wickets in his career and indeed gave it his all with the ball in hand.

Brett Lee

Brett Lee definitely goes into a class of bowlers who are not only the fastest but also among the best bowlers in the world. Easily the most successful bowler among the lot, Lee took over 700 wickets in all formats of the game. His quickest delivery came against the Kiwis in 2005, when he clocked a brilliant 160.8 kmph, one of the fastest balls ever to be bowled in the game.
Lee’s smooth and rhythmic action gave him much more control over his deliveries compared to the rest of the bowlers on this list. His ability to bowl quick and hit the right areas with the ball led him to become one of the most successful bowlers in the world.

Jeff Thomson

Australian legend Jeff Thomson is also one of the fastest bowlers in the world. Although he played at a time when not much information was recorded due to lack of technology, his delivery against the West Indies made the record books. He bowled a delivery that clocked 160.6 kmph, which is currently the fourth-quickest ball ever to be bowled in the game. Thomson took over 200 wickets in his career and is rightly remembered as a great of the game.

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Mitchell Starc

The only player on this list to still be playing competitive cricket is Mitchell Starc. After Bret Lee, Starc is probably the most successful player on this list as well. Starc has a flowing action that allows him to bowl quick and full. His quickest delivery came against New Zealand in 2015, when he clocked 160.4 kmph.
The reason for Starc’s success is much more than just bowling quick, though. He can get the new ball moving whilst bowling quick and can hit the right areas on the pitch. His tally of wickets stands over 500 in international cricket and counting.