The beautiful game of cricket has several intricacies, and fast bowling is one aspect that offers it sheer brilliance and sensation. Seeing a bowler at his mark, loading up with the ball as ammunition, striding ahead towards the crease, and delivering fast is an electrifying sight. Stepping up, setting the speed gun on fire, and hitting the top mark, visible as speed on the big screen, is an incredible moment in the game. As exciting as it can get, the chill of pace bowling is an immense source of adrenaline among the players and viewers. 

To master the skills of fast bowling, it takes a great amount of hard work, practice, rhythm, momentum, and innumerable accurate run-ups. To bowl the fastest ball in the match and for the history books is a beholding sight and requires immaculate strategies, strength, and consistency. To be counted as one of the fastest bowlers in the cricket world is a matter of humongous pride and an indication of pure greatness. 

Creating dread among the batters and overpowering them in the modern formats of the game is quite tough. Speed bowling is one tool, if employed and executed at its best, can bundle out the opposition in a jiffy. The protagonists of these are a rare species of players who possess the ball like venom and have set records for the same. Here is a look at the top ten fastest bowlers in the world who are currently in the game and actively plying their trade. 

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Mitchell Starc

The tall and lanky left-arm fast bowling sensation from Australia often takes the cricketing universe by storm because of his sensational pace. He is currently the fastest bowler in the world, having clocked an unimaginable speed of 99.7 miles per hour in a test match against New Zealand in 2015. His average speeds are in the high 140s kph, and his smooth action makes him look aesthetic while delivering balls. When he spearheads the bowling attack of any team, a fear is instilled among the batters, and this attribute has made him one of the highest wicket-takers for his nation, currently at 382 wickets in tests. His potent fitness while being a pacer is a testament to his focused approach towards meticulous practice, planning, and workload management. 

Haris Rauf

The skiddy bowler from Pakistan is a white ball specialist. He began his international career as a T20 player and soon got opportunities in the ODI circuit as well. He is tall, bangs the surface hard, and extracts extra bounce off the pitch. In a match against England in the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup, Australia, he bowled at 99 miles per hour, sending rocket waves across the bowling fraternity. He is a regular player in his national side and has accumulated 206 wickets, so far, in limited-overs cricket. His average bowling speed nears 150 kmph on many occasions. 

Lockie Ferguson

The Kiwi bowler is a great customer of batters' wickets. His sheer pace, complemented by impeccable bounce, line, and length, makes it extremely tough to score against him. His rhythmic bowling action makes his task look effortless. He regularly plays in the IPL and is a great asset for any team. Once in the 2022 season, playing for the Gujarat Titans against the Rajasthan Royals, he produced a magical delivery worth 157.3 kmph and set the speed gun ablaze. For New Zealand, he has, so far, taken 163 wickets in white ball cricket.

Umran Malik

The speedster from Jammu and Kashmir was the talk of the town even before his debut in professional cricket. His raw pace, coupled with youthful energy, made him a fast bowling sensation. This put him in the category of a rare breed of pacers, an asset that could serve India and IPL cricket for years to come. In the 2022 IPL season, playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad against the Delhi Capitals, he bowled a superfast delivery, measured at 157 kmph in the speed metrics. It became the second fastest ball in that season and earned him a place in the National side. He, however, has been very unfortunate with injuries and has missed out on a lot of game time over the years, hoping to return very soon and produce similar goods for which he became popular. 

Mayank Yadav

Mayank Yadav rose in the ranks while playing for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 2024 season of IPL. His impressive performances from the time he got an opportunity made the cricket pundits and viewers talk about him quite a lot on social media. In a match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he clocked a top speed of 156.7 kmph and took everyone by surprise. Delivering that fast at a tender age and also scalping a few wickets made him a player to watch out for ahead. He, too, has lacked the rub of the green in his strides and has dealt with injuries very frequently. 

Mark Wood

The English quick is one of the fastest bowlers in the world and among only a few who possess the ability to turn the tide in his team's favour purely by fiery pace bowling. He sprints like an athlete and delivers fire. At times, his absence from the England team make their attack look bleak and without any venom. Of late, his improved fitness has made him play a lot more matches than he used to in the past, and that is good for the game itself. During the test tour of Pakistan in 2022, he bowled a ball at 156.6 kmph and became the fastest bowler in England's history. He has taken 255 wickets across formats for his nation yet. 

Anrich Nortje

The South African right-arm speedster has an average bowling speed of around 150 kmph. His bowling resonates with business, and so does his serious looks. Playing for the Delhi Capitals and bowling to Rajasthan Royals' Jos Buttler, he sent waves across the world by recording a gobsmacking speed of 156.22 kmph. The Protea pacer, however, has been less economical over the years and has gone for a few in his overs on numerous occasions. Injuries have pegged him back quite a lot. He currently bowls quick but needs to be smart enough in disguising the batters to sustain himself further in the game. 

Kagiso Rabada

Another bowler hailing from South Africa is an all-format player for the National side. Known for his consistency, Rabada has been a go-to bowler for whichever team he has played in, at all levels. He might lack express pace when compared to other bowlers in the list, but if coupled with the right line and lengths, it apparently seems quite threatening. In IPL 2019, he produced a delivery having a speed of 154.23 kmph. Kagiso has 327 test wickets to his name. 

Jofra Archer

The Caribbean-born pacer became eligible to play for England in 2019 and was fast-tracked into the National side just before the ODI World Cup scheduled in the same year. This news sent seismic waves across the cricket world, and Jofra Archer has been associated with sheer pace since his inception. His raw speed and unparalleled accuracy make it a nightmare for opposition batters, and time and again, he has displayed that. 2019 was a glorious year for him, and he made his name by performing impressively well in the World Cup and the Ashes. 

Mohammad Shami

The Indian pace bowler is known to have the best seam position of the ball. He makes the ball talk at his own will, seaming and swinging notoriously. Delivered at a great pace, it becomes extremely difficult for the batters to negotiate his overs and spells, especially in the longest format of the game. His action is flawless and equivalent to poetry in cricket. His skills affirm the fact that fast bowling is all about rhythm. For India, Shami has struck 462 times across the three formats. 

Some fresh air passing through the England camp ahead of the 5-match Test series against India. For the first match, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced their squad, and they can update their squad for the next games. Shuffle in the existing test setup depends on how the injured players are recovering.

As for now, the board has received a couple of pieces of good news. The latest one is about the speed star Mark Wood. The prime bowler of England suffered an injury during their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group stage match against Afghanistan, where they faced a shocking setback.

Luke Wright, England's national selector, informed us that Wood has started bowling lightly; he is in recovery season and yet to fully gain fitness. Wright and the board do not want to take any decision in a hurry, as they see the pacer as a long-term prospect. But there is some hope that Wood could mark his Test return during the fourth or fifth Test against India, though it's not official yet.

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"I think Woody's now started bowling just lightly, to be honest. He's just off a few paces, but that's been a great sign. So, he's on the road to recovery. I think he's more long-term; if we can get him back, he might have an option for the fourth or fifth test. But again, each day it's ticking off each box and making sure he's OK," Wright said on Sky Sports.

Jofra Archer set to hit the deck 

Another seamer, Jofra Archer, is currently out of the mix due to a thumb injury, and he is recovering as well. During the final stages of the IPL 2025, he got himself injured. Wright is again hopeful for a fine recovery, and to provide him the necessary match fitness, the bowler will participate in domestic contests. 

"Joff's trucking on really well, actually. The plans for him are that he's playing a few second-team games. The plan is for him to play a few second team games, loading up in the second team for Sussex. And then the idea for him is to play for Sussex against Durham during the first Test. So, he'll play for Sussex if all things go well, and then, if all things go well, fingers crossed, he should be available for the second Test," Luke Wright said. 

The 35-year-old England fast bowler Mark Wood has been effectively ruled out from the upcoming key home summer Test series against India as he will miss the game for four months following an operation on his knee. 

During the Group B match against Afghanistan in the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Mark Wood left the field during his fourth over after experiencing locking in his knee. Although he returned to the field after 38 minutes, he bowled four more overs as he had the bowling figures of 8-0-50-0. While England lost that match by eight runs to be eliminated from the tournament with one match yet to be played, the last batter Wood was not out for two runs in three balls.  

Wood missed out on England's last group stage game against South Africa. On Wednesday (March 12) morning, Wood underwent surgery in London after scans confirmed medial ligament damage. After the successful surgery, the English fast bowler will be out of the game for four months. 

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I can't wait to get back: Mark Wood

In a statement released, Wood said, "I'm gutted to be out for so long after representing England across all formats since the start of last year. I want to thank the surgeon, the doctors, staff, my England teammates and coaches for their support - and, of course, our fans. I can't wait to get back and contribute to what is going to be a huge 2025 for us as a team."

Wood and surgery isn't a new story as it was his eighth surgery. While the India tour of England for the five-match Test series will begin on June 20, Wood has very little chance to be part of the English team for any match of the series. The last Test of the series will begin on July 31, and Wood is unlikely to feature in the game, especially as he will hardly have a chance to prepare for it. 

Mark Wood will be essential for England in the away Ashes

Due to his furious speed, Wood is an important character in the English fast bowling line-up in any format. While he has the central contract, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has restricted him from joining the Indian Premier League 2025 edition to manage his workload. But the recent injury has forced him to miss out on important home Test series against India. The English team management will now hope to get him fit for the away Ashes in the 2025-26 edition.

England fast bowler Mark Wood will miss the remainder of 2024 due to a bone-stress injury in his right elbow. Wood was set to play pivotal roles in England's upcoming tours of Pakistan and New Zealand. However, an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announcement confirmed that the 34-year-old will be sidelined for the rest of the year. This decision follows a series of injuries that have plagued his recent performances.

Injury diagnosis and impact on current season

The ECB revealed that Wood had experienced increasing stiffness and discomfort in his elbow during England’s two-match Test series against the West Indies. Wood also played in the first Test against Sri Lanka, where he sustained a right thigh injury. Although he is recovering well from the thigh issue, the bone-stress injury in his elbow is significant enough to end his year early.

In an Instagram post, Wood shared his shock upon learning the severity of his elbow condition. "I thought it was a routine check for a previously troublesome elbow," he wrote. "To discover bone stress in my right elbow was a surprise. After dealing with a minor groin injury and noticing irritation in my elbow, I decided to get it examined. I attributed the discomfort to the usual issues fast bowlers face."

Despite his disappointment, Wood remains optimistic about his recovery. He expressed confidence in returning to full fitness early next year, saying, "I will miss the rest of the year to rest and rebuild, but I fully expect to be back and firing in early 2025. I have been down this road before and will work hard to come back stronger."

England's adjustments and future tours

With Wood out, England will rely on other bowlers for their upcoming tours. Olly Stone took Wood’s place in the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s, while 20-year-old left-arm seamer Josh Hull made his debut in The Oval Test. England’s tours of Pakistan and New Zealand will proceed as planned, but Wood’s absence leaves a significant gap in the bowling attack.

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England’s tour of Pakistan in October includes three Tests, followed by a series in New Zealand in December. The team will need to adjust their strategy without Wood, who has been a key player in their bowling lineup.

Wood's injury is a setback for England, but his determination to return to top form offers hope for the future. As he takes time to recover, fans and teammates alike will eagerly anticipate his return to international cricket.

Star West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph caused a big scene at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on Day 3 of the second Test against England. During the 107th over, Joseph took on England’s young fast bowler Gus Atkinson and hit two powerful shots that were crucial for his team.

Joseph first pulled a delivery from Atkinson over deep mid wicket for a six, then smashed another ball over deep backward square leg for another huge six. The second shot was so well timed that it sailed into the stands and hit the roof of one of the boxes, causing tiles to fall on the crowd below. Fortunately, no fans were injured.

Watch Shamar Joseph’s incredible six

Joseph scored a quick 33 off 27 balls, including five fours and two sixes. He partnered with Joshua Da Silva for the tenth wicket adding 71 runs off 78 balls. Their stand frustrated England as they easily scored against a tired bowling attack.

Their partnership ended just before lunch when Joseph hit a delivery from Mark Wood straight to Gus Atkinson at mid on. Da Silva was left not out on 82, missing a well deserved century as he walked back to the pavilion.

England claims early breakthroughs on day 3

West Indies started their innings at 351/5 with Jason Holder and Joshua Da Silva. England struck early when Chris Woakes caught Holder’s edge and Jamie Smith took the catch. Kevin Sinclair followed but was out after scoring 4, caught by Harry Brook.

Woakes continued his good work by dismissing Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales with back-to-back deliveries. West Indies was all out for 457, taking a narrow lead of 41 runs.

On Friday, July 19, Mark Wood made a dramatic entrance into England’s Test team during the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge.

Wood, who wasn’t part of the squad for the first Test as he was given time to recover from the T20 World Cup, was finally brought into the team for this match. With James Anderson retiring, Wood was added straight into the playing XI. He made an impressive comeback, with every ball of his first over clocking well above 90 mph.

Woakes and Atkinson started the bowling for England, covering the first nine overs before captain Ben Stokes brought Wood in. Though he didn’t take a wicket in his first over, he made a strong impression.

Wood Sets New Record for Fastest Over by an England Bowler

In that over, Wood’s six deliveries were all over 92 mph, including one at 96.5 mph. By the end of the over, he had set a new record for the fastest over by an England bowler at home. But Wood didn’t stop there he went on to bowl an even faster third over, with all deliveries over 93 mph and one reaching 97 mph.

As for the match, the West Indies got off to a solid start with openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis putting on 53 runs for the first wicket. Shoaib Bashir broke their stand by dismissing Louis for 21. At the time of writing, the West Indies were 74 for 1 in response to England’s first innings total of 416.

ECB announces the addition of Mark Wood to their squad for the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge. This move comes in the wake of Jimmy Anderson’s retirement, opening up a crucial spot in England’s bowling lineup. As England looks to secure a series win, Wood’s inclusion brings both excitement and strategic advantage to the team.

Jimmy Anderson’s retirement

The retirement of Jimmy Anderson, one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, marks the end of an era for England. Anderson’s departure leaves a significant void in the team, both in terms of skill and experience. His remarkable career, spanning over two decades, saw him become the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers in Test cricket, leaving behind a legacy that will inspire generations.

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The Second test at Trent Bridge

The second Test at Trent Bridge holds immense importance for England as they aim to clinch the series against the West Indies. With Anderson’s retirement, England’s bowling lineup for the second Test features a mix of seasoned campaigners and promising talents.

The competition for the vacant seamer spot includes Mark Wood, Matt Potts, and Dillon Pennington, each bringing unique strengths to the table.

Mark Wood’s recent form

Mark Wood’s recent form has been impressive, showcasing his ability to bowl at high speeds consistently. His performances in the recent series have demonstrated his match-winning potential, making him a strong contender for the seamer spot.

Matt Potts, Wood’s county teammate, and Dillon Pennington from Nottinghamshire are also vying for the seamer spot. Potts has shown considerable promise with his ability to swing the ball both ways, while Pennington, though uncapped, has been in stellar form at the county level.

Gus Atkinson’s debut performance

Gus Atkinson’s debut in the opening Test was nothing short of spectacular, taking 12 wickets and making an indelible mark. Given his performance, Atkinson is likely to retain his place, providing a formidable option in England’s bowling arsenal. His ability to generate pace and movement will be vital in the upcoming match.

England’s spin option

Shoaib Bashir, the spinner in the squad, had a quiet first Test where he did not get an opportunity to bowl. The success of England’s seam attack at Lord’s raises questions about the need for a spinner in the second Test. However, Bashir’s role cannot be discounted, especially if the pitch offers turn or if the conditions change.

West Indies’ performance in first test

The West Indies faced a heavy defeat in the first Test, losing by an innings and 114 runs. Despite the loss, they have several key players who could pose a challenge to England. The team’s performance in the second Test will be critical as they look to bounce back and keep the series alive.

England men’s Test squad:

Ben Stokes (Durham, c), Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Shoaib Bashir (Somerset), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Dan Lawrence (Surrey), Dillon Pennington (Nottinghamshire), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jamie Smith (Surrey), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).

Test Series Versus West Indies

1st Test: England v West Indies, 10-14 July 2024, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London – England won by an innings and 114 runs

2nd Test: England v West Indies, 18-22 July 2024, Trent Bridge, Nottingham

3rd Test: England v West Indies, 26-30 July 2024, Edgbaston, Birmingham

World’s most expensive franchise cricket, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, is all set to begin on 22nd March 2024. This league has a special place in the hearts of cricket fans as well as cricketing players. Every year, the tournament sees top players from around the globe showcasing their skills in intense and thrilling matches. However, injuries, personal reasons, and other factors sometimes lead to players exiting the tournament. Here’s the list of major players who are already out of IPL 2024:

Mohammed Shami (Gujarat Titans):

Star India’s pacer underwent successful surgery for a right heel problem last month in London, which he suffered during the ODI World Cup 2023. He was the leading wicket-taker in the previous edition of the ODI World Cup, picking 24 wickets in just seven matches. But now, he won’t be available for the IPL 2024. In the last of the IPL, Shami bagged 28 wickets in 17 games at an economy rate of 8.03. For GT, this will be a major void, and they have yet to announce a replacement for him.

Prasidh Krishna (Rajasthan Royals):

Prasidh is the second Indian Pacer in this list to be ruled out of IPL 2024 after undergoing surgery on his left proximal quadriceps tendon in February. Now, he won’t feature for the Royals for the second consecutive time in the IPL. He played the last match in the Ranji Trophy for Karnataka against Gujarat in January 2024. Rajasthan Royals have yet to announce his. Krishna has played 51 matches and took 49 wickets, with an average of 34.76. In the IPL Auction 2024, the Rajasthan franchise acquired him for the whooping price of Rs 10.00 Cr.

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Mark Wood (Lucknow Super Giants):

The Premium English pacer, who is known for his lethal deliveries, was pulled out by his cricket board from the upcoming IPL season to manage his workload. ECB and Wood were concerned about the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, and that’s why Wood pulled his name from the league. Lucknow Franchise bought him for Rs. 7.5 crore in IPL 2022 auction but he missed the entire tournament due to an elbow injury. But in IPL 2023, Wood showcased his premium bowling skills by taking a fifer in the first game. However, he was featured in just 4 games and picked 11 wickets. LSG named Shamar Joseph “the hero of Gabba Test” as Wood’s replacement for the upcoming season of IPL for Rs. 3 crore.

Jason Roy (Kolkata Knight Riders):

Jason Roy, a destructive top-order batter who can change the time for his team, has pulled out of the IPL due to personal reasons. This is not the first time Roy has pulled out his name from IPL for personal reasons; previously, in 2020 and 2022, he also pulled out from the entire tournament. In the last season, he played 8 games for KKR, and in all matches, he gave a good start for the franchise with a strike rate of 151.60. KKR announced Phil Salt as his replacement. Another hard-hitting English top-order batter who went unsold in the IPL auction 2024, but his impressive performance against West Indies in a T20I series marked his place in IPL 2024.

Harry Brook (Delhi Capitals):

Young English stalwart Harry Brook decided not to play in the IPL 2024 due to some family problems after the death of his grandmother. In the IPL 2024 auction, Brook was acquired by Delhi Capitals for Rs. 4 crore. In IPL 2023, Sunrisers Hyderabad brought him for the whooping price of 13.25 crores, but he wasn’t able to leave a lasting impression and could only manage to score 190 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 123.38. Delhi has yet to announce his replacement.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the lineup for the last Test in the ongoing series against India. With just one alteration from the previous match, where they endured a defeat in Ranchi, England seeks redemption in the fifth Test commencing at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Thursday, March 7.

Mark Wood steps in for Ollie Robinson, while James Anderson retains his spot despite featuring in three consecutive Tests, merely two wickets away from the coveted 700 mark.

Battling for Redemption in Dharamsala Amidst Series Defeat

Robinson’s lackluster performance in Ranchi saw him exit the XI, despite his notable contribution with the bat alongside Joe Root. The official statement from England Men confirmed the change, asserting the team’s readiness for the final showdown.

England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson, and Shoaib Bashir.

Ben Stokes, the England captain, accentuated the positives gleaned from their tour despite the series loss, highlighting significant improvements in fitness and overall performance.

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England’s journey in India saw debutants Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley showcasing promising bowling displays, with Hartley’s seven-wicket haul in the series opener being particularly notable. Despite such individual efforts, England’s quest for victory remains unfulfilled, conceding the series 3-1 to the hosts.

Wood has been in the UK recovering from a hip injury sustained during England’s successful T20 World Cup campaign and will join up with the Test squad in Rawalpindi this weekend. Though the injury ruled the 32-year-old out of the semi-final against India, he was considered fit to play in the final against Pakistan before it was decided not to take a risk with selection for such a high-profile match.

His rehabilitation is said to be tracking well. However, with just three training days ahead of the start of the series on December 1. It seems unlikely he will be able to accrue the necessary number of overs at a high enough intensity to prepare himself for the rigors of a Test match. Wood returned to international duty in Pakistan during the T20Is after missing the 2022 summer. Showed how crucial his pace was as a point of difference. With six wickets at 7.33 in his two appearances in the seven-match series.

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England fast bowler Mark Wood is a doubt for the first Test against Pakistan.

He carried that form into the World Cup, with nine wickets at 12.00 in four matches. Bowling the fastest spells and even walking away with the fastest delivery of the tournament. A full delivery at 154.74kph to New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips. Wood’s absence from the Abu Dhabi leg of this winter, where the squad has been warming up alongside England Lions ahead of their first Test series in Pakistan for 17 years, is unrelated to his injury.

Both he and Yorkshire batter Harry Brook were given two weeks at home after the World Cup to rest as they were the only two players in all three first-team squads (Pakistan T20Is, World Cup, Pakistan Tests) before the end of the year. Speaking on Friday after the final day of England’s warm-up match, which was swapped for a two-hour training session. England captain Ben Stokes was optimistic on Wood’s fitness and said there will be no cover drafted into the squad.

“No, we’re sticking with it,” said Stokes. “We’re not going to call up another seamer to this group. “We took the decision to let Brooky and Woody spend that time at home, obviously being at Pakistan and the World Cup,” Stokes said. “We felt a week at home for them would be more beneficial, just to get their batteries recharged. Obviously with Woody’s injury, getting home and being around his wife. Child would be better than being out here and getting all his rehab, which he could do at home.