Who is the fastest bowler in the world currently in 2022?

Who is the fastest bowler in the world currently in 2022?

Kevin Omuya
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:20 PM

Just like in baseball, watching a genuine fast bowler bowl at full pace and terrify the hitters is a thrilling sight to behold in cricket. The fastest bowlers in the world can consistently bowl at 145 kph or more; their incredible talent has always been a boon to cricket, whether they were part of the pace quartet of the Windies' dominant side in the 1970s and 1980s or hail from some other country.

fastest bowler in the world
Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrates during day one of the First Test match between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval on December 17, 2020, in Adelaide, Australia. Photo: Ryan Pierse
Source: Getty Images

A lot of cricket players will tell you that bowling fast is quite challenging. In order to earn a reward, the bowlers must run in lengthy yards and bowl over and over again. The job of a fast bowler has grown even more challenging with the introduction of new playing rules. 

However, there are not many players who have been able to overcome the odds and truly impress the sport's spectators. Good fast ones may often carry their team to victory on their own.

These quick players are what make our sport so thrilling to watch. In other words, they give the finest of the best a run for their money. They decide on matches on their own. The top 10 fastest bowlers in the world in 2022 are listed below.

Top 10 fastest bowlers in the world

10. Jasprit Bumrah (153.26 Km/hr)

top 10 fastest bowler in the world
Jasprit Bumrah during the 1st Royal London Series One Day International between England and India at The Kia Oval on July 12, 2022, in London, England. Photo: Dan Mullan
Source: Getty Images

One of the top 10 fastest bowlers in the world is Jasprit Bumrah. The key to his success in white-ball cricket has been his ability to bowl yorkers at will. Jasprit Bumrah has also excelled in test cricket and has shown his quality in international settings.

In the Adelaide Test during India's 2018 tour of Australia, Jasprit Bumrah clocked his fastest delivery to date at 153.26 km/hr. His 145 mph average speed, excellent line, length, and variations, make him a formidable opponent thus including him among the top 20 fastest bowlers in the world.

9. Adam Milne (153.28 Km/hr)

current fastest bowler in the world
Adam Milne of New Zealand bowls during the T20 International series between New Zealand and Bangladesh at Hagley Oval on October 09, 2022, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo: Joe Allison
Source: Getty Images

Adam Milne, a fast bowler for New Zealand, has a relaxed and natural movement that gives him the potential for devastating speed. In a Twenty20 encounter against the Windies, he played his fastest ball ever at 153.28 kph. His typical fastball velocity is from 145 to 150 kilometers per hour.

Milne had a promising beginning to his professional career, but a string of injuries has slowed him down. He just recently returned to the national team, and if he is able to avoid further injury, he might be a major contributor there.

8. Kagiso Rabada (154.23 Km/hr)

top 10 fastest bowler in the world 2021
Kagiso Rabada of South Africa celebrates during day two of the First LV= Insurance Test Match on August 18, 2022, in London, England. Photo: Shaun Botterill
Source: Getty Images

Rabada is among the best in the world. He has long been the backbone of South Africa's fast-bowling attack. His speed and accuracy are quite impressive. In the 2019 IPL season, he recorded a speed of 154.23 kph with his quickest delivery. His average speed is approximately 145, and he is one of the most dangerous and challenging opponents in the cricket alley right now. Rabada, with time on his side, is poised to become a legendary bowler.

7. Wahab Riaz (154.5 Km/hr)

Top 20 fastest bowler in the world
Wahab Riaz of Pakistan during the ICC Cricket World Cup between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Lord's Ground on 05 July 2019, in London, England. Photo: Action Foto
Source: Getty Images

Wahab Riaz, on his day, can bowl at frightening speeds. All eyes were on him in 2015 when he played one of the most dazzling fast spells against Shane Watson in a World Cup match against Australia. However, he clocked 154.5 km with his fastest ball while playing India in the same World Cup.

He runs at a speed of about 145 kph on average, with the ability to elevate this to a dangerous level if necessary. As of late, Riaz has become more of a Twenty20 specialist, playing in Twenty20 competitions around the world.

6. Jofra Archer (154.65 Km/hr)

fastest bowler in the world 2022
Jofra Archer of England during a nets session at Kensington Oval on March 14, 2022, in Bridgetown, Barbados. Photo: Gareth Copley
Source: Getty Images

English cricketer Jofra Archer was born in Barbados. He has become one of the best cricketers in the world because of his success in both international and Twenty20 tournaments. He was one of the fastest bowlers in the world in 2020.

He was drafted into the team shortly before the 2019 World Cup and went on to have a remarkable time in the Ashes on his debut, playing his fastest ball at 154.65 and injuring Smith with his terrifying fast bowling. He has a bright career ahead of him and is one of the fastest bowlers to ever represent England.

5. Lockie Ferguson (154.9 Km/hr)

fastest bowler in the world 2020
Lockie Ferguson of New Zealand bowls the wicket of Gareth Delany of Ireland during the Men's T20 International match on 18 July 2022 at Stormont in Belfast. Photo: Ramsey Cardy
Source: Getty Images

One such New Zealand fast bowler who has broken through is Ferguson. After Milne went down with an injury, Ferguson stepped in to take his place as a genuine fast cricketer capable of maintaining a speed of 150 kph. Since then, he has established himself as New Zealand's go-to fast cricketer, particularly in white-ball cricket.

His average pace is approximately 150 kph, and he bowled a 154.9 kph ball in 2019 against Bangladesh in Napier. Ferguson has the potential to be a long-term contributor for the Kiwis if his injuries can be managed.

4. Mohammad Hasnain (155.1 Km/hr)

fastest bowler in the world
Mohammad Hasnain of Pakistan bowls during game six of the T20 International series between Bangladesh and Pakistan at Hagley Oval on October 13, 2022, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo: Joe Allison
Source: Getty Images

Hasnain's inclusion here may come as a shock to some, but he is a brilliant young player from Pakistan who shows promise. In the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), he bowled his fastest ball, and his average pace is in the high 140s kph. Another promising young Pakistani player, he has a bright future ahead of him if the team's leadership treats him with respect and instils confidence in him.

3. Mark Wood (156.1 Km/hr)

top 10 fastest bowler in the world
Mark Wood of England looks on during the fourth day of the second Test between Pakistan and England at Multan Cricket Stadium on December 12, 2022, in Multan, Pakistan. Photo: Philip Brown
Source: Getty Images

Mark Wood's fastest ball ever was in an England Cricket match. Because of his height, he is able to bowl at a high speed and produce decent bounce. His incredible speed has made him an indispensable cog in the English team's machine and one of the top 10 fastest bowlers in the world in 2021.

In a Test match against New Zealand, he threw a ball at a record-breaking 156.1 kph. His potential is consistently at roughly 150 kph makes him a unique and extraordinary talent.

2. Anrich Nortje (156.22 Km/hr)

current fastest bowler in the world
Anrich Nortje of South Africa celebrates after bowling Jonathan Bairstow of England during the First LV= Insurance Test Match on August 17, 2022, in London, England. Photo: Shaun Botterill
Source: Getty Images

Nortje, who is currently one of the world's fastest bowlers, may frighten the batsmen with his rapid delivery. His fastest ball came in an IPL match for Delhi Capitals against Rajasthan Royals, and he regularly plays in excess of 150 kph.

His reputation as a fast cricketer in international cricket has developed, and his fans look forward to many more devastating deliveries. Together with Rabada, he forms one of the most dangerous bowling duos in cricket.

1. Mitchell Starc (160.4 Km/hr)

Top 10 fastest bowler in the world 2021
Mitchell Starc of Australia during day three of the First Test match between Australia and the West Indies at Optus Stadium on December 02, 2022, in Perth, Australia. Photo: Quinn Rooney
Source: Getty Images

Starc is widely regarded as the current fastest bowler in the world. One of the finest in the world, thanks to his ability to throw bone-crushing yorkers at breakneck speed. In 2015, he bowled a record-breaking ball against Ross Taylor at WACA in Perth.

His average speed is around 145-152 km//ph. Starc's excellent skills have won Australia numerous matches, and more game-changing efforts like this are expected from him in the future. He is the fastest bowler in the world in 2022.

While West Indies and Pakistan also have some of the fastest bowlers in the world, the majority of them are from Australia. Few cricket players in history have accomplished what the players on this list have. They are legendary bowlers because of their superior abilities over many others.

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Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.