Top 10 Fastest Bowler in Test Cricket | Ranked

In Test cricket, bowling fast is not just about speed; it’s also about pressure. A bowler who can hit 145 km/h or more to give the batter very little time to react. That’s why fast bowlers are so important in Test matches. They can break partnerships, take key wickets, and even change the result of the match in just one spell.

Over the years, many bowlers have delivered speedy yorkers, but only a few have crossed the 150 km/h mark in Tests. These bowlers are not only quick, but they are also match winners. They keep the pressure on with speed and bounce, and make life hard for the batsman. In this article, we have listed the top 10 fastest bowlers in Test cricket based on their top bowling speed, average speed, and overall performance.

List of Fastest Bowler in Test Cricket History

Fast bowling is one of the most exciting parts of Test cricket. A ball coming at the batsman at over 145 km/h gives very little time to react. Many fast bowlers use this speed to take quick wickets and change the game in just a few overs. Below is the list of the fastest bowler in Test cricket, ranked by their top bowling speed. These players are not just quick, they are also top performers in Test matches. Today, let's discover the fastest bowler in Test cricket history.

Who is the World Fastest Bowler in Test Cricket?

Over the years, cricket fans have seen several speed demons take over the game by themselves. From Andy Roberts in the West Indies era to Brett Lee's accurate rockets, Test cricketers have had numerous bowling legends. Today, let's take a look at the fastest Test bowler ever recorded in the sport's history.

10. Kagiso Rabada | South Africa

Kagiso Rabada is South Africa’s top fast bowler in Test cricket. He bowled a ball at 154 km/h and continues to bowl above 145 km/h in most games. Rabada is not just fast—he is also very consistent and clever with his line and length. He has already taken 336 wickets in Tests, and he’s only 30 years old. That’s a big achievement. Rabada often gets early wickets and breaks key partnerships. He’s already one of the best fast bowlers South Africa has ever had. He is also among the top 10 bowlers in the world.

9. Jofra Archer | England

Jofra Archer became famous very quickly after he joined the England team. He bowled at 154 km/h in Test cricket and made batsmen uncomfortable with his bounce and accuracy. He can hit 145+ km/h regularly, and his short balls are hard to play. Archer has taken 42 Test wickets, but he has missed many matches due to injuries. Even with limited games, Archer has shown he has what it takes to be one of the best fast bowlers in the world. He also bowled the Super Over in the 2019 World Cup final and helped England win it.

8. Mark Wood | England

Mark Wood is England’s top fast bowler in Test cricket in recent years. He bowled a ball at 156 km/h in a Test match and often bowls above 145 km/h even on slow pitches. His action is smooth, and he takes an aggressive run for every ball. Wood has taken 119 wickets in Tests and played a big role in away series wins for England. He helped the team in South Africa, Pakistan and in the Ashes. Though he’s had many injuries, when he’s fit, Wood brings extra speed to England’s bowling attack.

7. Mitchell Johnson | Australia

Mitchell Johnson was once one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket. In the 2013 Ashes series, he bowled a ball at 156.8 km/h and destroyed England’s batting line-up with both pace and bounce. His angry stare and quick bouncers made him a nightmare for many batsmen. He played for Australia from 2005 to 2015 and took 313 wickets in Test matches. Johnson could also bat well and had a few good innings. He won ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2014 and is remembered for his aggressive style and raw pace.

6. Andy Roberts | West Indies

Andy Roberts was one of the original West Indian fast bowlers who laid the foundation for the team’s dominance in the 70s and 80s. He bowled his fastest ball at 159.5 km/h and was known for bowling two types of bouncers, one slower and one faster, to deceive batsmen. The West Indies' fastest bowler in Test cricket, Roberts, took 202 Test wickets and was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame for his service to the game.

5. Mitchell Starc | Australia

Mitchell Starc is the fastest bowler in Test cricket right now. He bowled a delivery at 160.4 km/h against New Zealand in a Test match in 2015. Starc is known for his deadly fast yorkers and sharp swing. He has taken 402 wickets in Tests, which makes him one of the top wicket-takers among active bowlers. He doesn’t just bowl fast for one or two balls; he keeps the pace high over many overs. Starc also helped Australia win big tournaments like the 2015 and 2023 World Cups. Boasting both speed and skill, he is a complete fast bowler.

4. Jeff Thomson | Australia

Jeff Thomson was the fastest bowler of his time in the 1970s. His action was unique and slingy, and his speed was hard to read. He bowled at 160.6 km/h against West Indies in 1975. Thomson played 51 Tests and took 200 wickets. He often bowled in tandem with Dennis Lillee, and together they formed one of the most feared fast bowling pairs in cricket history.

3. Brett Lee | Australia

Brett Lee was one of the most consistent fast bowlers Australia ever produced. He delivered his fastest ball at 161.1 km/h, and he stayed in the 145–150+ km/h range for most of his career. Lee played 76 Tests and took 310 wickets. Known for his smooth action and toe-crushing yorkers, he was a strike bowler who always aimed to knock the stumps over.

2. Shaun Tait | Australia

Shaun Tait bowled with raw power and had a unique slingy action that generated extreme speed. He clocked 161.1 km/h, making him one of the fastest bowlers in cricket history. While he didn’t play many Tests (only 3), his ability to deliver fast balls consistently made him stand out. Tait’s career was affected by injuries, but his speed was never in doubt.

1. Shoaib Akhtar | Pakistan

Shoaib Akhtar, known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” holds the record for the fastest ball in cricket history. Though he set the record in an ODI, his pace in Test cricket was also top-level. He bowled at over 150 km/h regularly, and his fastest deliveries pushed past 161 km/h. Akhtar played 46 Tests and took 178 wickets. He was known for his aggressive attitude, unique run-up and ability to rattle even the best batsmen in the world.

Ranking Factors – Fastest Bowler in Test Cricket

To round off the top 10 list, we have considered several factors, including the cricketers' top speeds, average pace, strike rate and wickets at high speed. These factors have enabled us to provide a more accurate ranking for these bowling legends who have forever etched their names in the longest format.

• Top Bowling Speed: We checked the fastest delivery each bowler has bowled in a Test match to rank them.
• Average Speed: It’s not just about one fast ball. Bowlers who bowl fast all the time, over many overs, are more effective.
• Strike Rate in Tests: Bowlers who take more wickets in fewer balls are always more valuable.
• Wickets at High Speed: Taking wickets while bowling fast shows the bowler can use his pace in the right way.