Top 10 country-wise fastest bowlers in international cricket

Fast bowling is considered one of the most intimidating arts in world cricket as it often leaves batters hiding for cover. Over the years, the cricket pitch has witnessed several top bowlers making a name for themselves at the highest level with their searing pace.

Fast bowlers are often ranked in the top tier of cricketers due to the sheer stress they put their bodies through to send shivers down the batters’ spines. Almost all cricketing nations have had a player who has brought a revolution in terms of fast bowling in their respective countries.

Here are the fastest bowlers to emerge from all top cricketing nations:

Australia

Brett Lee is counted amongst the fastest bowlers to have ever played the game. He has recorded speeds over 160 kmph during his illustrious career. He has scalped 718 wickets to his name in international cricket.

Bangladesh

Nahid Rana is the fastest bowler to emerge from Bangladesh, having constantly clicked over 150 kmph in his career so far. The 23-year-old is a bright prospect for his country and has scalped 78 wickets from 32 international matches so far.

England

Mark Wood has had a career impacted by injuries but has left his mark in the limited appearances for England. He has the ability to clock over 150 kmph consistently and has 253 wickets in his international career from 146 international matches.

India

Traditionally not known to produce express fast bowlers, India have had an abundance of speedsters in recent times. One among them has been Umran Malik, who took the Indian Premier League (IPL) by storm in 2022. The 26-year-old pacer from Jammu & Kashmir has scalped 24 wickets from 18 matches so far in his career.

New Zealand

Shane Bond is counted amongst the most talented fast bowlers of his time despite his short stint in international cricket. Bond had to battle through several injuries throughout his career and could only play 82 ODIs, 18 Tests and 20 T20Is. He scalped 259 wickets in total and is rated as the fastest bowler to play for New Zealand.

Pakistan

Shoaib Akhtar’s name is synonymous with fast bowling and is popularly known as the first bowler to breach the 100mph barrier in international cricket. Akhtar terrorised many great batters throughout his career, scalping 444 wickets from 224 matches.

South Africa

Dale Steyn is counted amongst the greatest fast bowlers in world cricket, due to his remarkable exploits across formats. Steyn is South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in Tests with 439 scalps from 93 matches and could consistently clock over 150 during his playing days.

Sri Lanka

Lasith Malinga rose to overnight stardom after taking four wickets in four balls against South Africa during the 2007 ODI World Cup. His slingy action made it difficult for the batters to read him throughout his career. He’s Sri Lanka’s third-highest wicket-taker with 546 international scalps to his name.

West Indies

West Indies have had a rich legacy of fast bowlers throughout their cricketing history. Fidel Edwards emerges as the fastest, having clocked 157 kmph in his career. He took 245 wickets in his career from 131 matches.

Zimbabwe

Henry Olonga is rated as the fastest bowler to emerge from Zimbabwe. The right-arm speedster was the youngest ever to play for his country. He scalped 126 wickets in total during his international career from 80 matches.