The Need for Speed: The Best Fast Bowlers of All Time
The Greatest Fast Bowlers in Cricket History
Is there any more exhilarating sight on a cricket field than a fast bowler steaming in at full pelt?
Whether you are a batsman or a bowler, you will agree that one of the most exciting things about cricket is fast bowling. It is something enjoyable and adrenaline-pumping part of the game, which keeps the interest of the spectators alive.
What could be a better sight than watching a fast bowler charging in and delivering at a pace of more than 140 km per hour?
If you are a true cricket fan, you must have seen some of the greatest fast bowlers who have been inspiring us with accuracy, swing, and pace.
In this article, we have listed who we think are the 6 best fast bowlers of all time.
To be honest, it’s quite challenging to select the top 6 from a long list of exceptional fast bowlers. However, we have still tried to come up with our favourites.
James Anderson: The Greatest Wicket Taker
564 Test match wickets taken in his career so far
A bowling average of 20.56
He was a member of the England team that won the 2010 ICC World Twenty20
‘Jimmy’ Anderson came into the England side in 2003, as a lean and wiry fast bowler who swung the ball both ways but was questioned for his action.
His head used to point at the ground on release rather than focus on the stumps, which riled some of the old school but he paid them no mind.
His away swinger has been his staple delivery but has made use of reverse swing when the conditions allow, and is miserly with his run rate, as his test average of just over 26 would attest to. Variety has kept Jimmy bowling into his late 30s, as well as keeping in match shape.
As things stand (July 2023), Anderson is on 686 Wickets in Test Cricket and 269 in ODIs… we won’t even go into how many he has at First-class level overall.
Without a doubt, he is England’s finest bowler and shows no signs of slowing down. Sir Jimmy anyone?
600 Test Wickets for James Anderson!
Glen McGrath: The Australian Metronome
563 Test match wickets taken in his career
A bowling average of 21.64
He became only the second fast bowler to take 500 wickets
Accuracy, focus, and class, these are the words that would be most appropriate to describe the bowling of the Australian great. He always liked to keep things simple and was famous for his good-length deliveries.
The noteworthy thing here is that McGrath used to rely on this length and consistency more than his pace.
His career is flooded with impressive records, including the one where he showed his talent as a batsman and made a record-breaking partnership with Shane Warne.
Soon after his test debut on 12th November 1993 VS New Zealand, McGrath started to make people feel his presence.
With 563 wickets in 124 test matches, Glen McGrath is undoubtedly one of the most successful Australian pacers. His average of 21.64 and strike rate of 51.9 is also quite impressive. The right-arm pacer was great with the white ball as well. He has 381 wickets to his name in the ODIs with an impressive less than 4 economy rate!
The critics said he was too old and too slow, but Glenn McGrath was simply too good in the opening Test of the 2006-07 Ashes, taking 6-50 at the Gabba.
Wasim Akram: The Most Versatile Bowler Ever
He took a total of 414 Test wickets during his career
A bowling average of 23.62
Regarded as the greatest left-handed bowler of all-time
The cricketing world has probably never seen a more talented cricketer than Wasim Akram. He was a complete package with unbelievable bowling skills.
From deadly bouncers and lethal Yorkers to the miraculous ability to swing the ball both ways – Akram was no less than a magician with a ball! He was certainly an attacking bowler but, his expertise with reverse swing made him deadly even with an old ball.
The reason why we believe that Wasim Akram was the most versatile bowler in the cricketing world is that he outclassed in all situations and on every surface!
Whether it was the fast-green pitches of England or bouncy tracks of West Indies, Akram never disappointed the cricket fans. Even though Akram was diagnosed with diabetes in his early 30s, he never lost his passion and kept playing for almost 7 more years!
With an average of 23, Akram took 414 wickets in 104 international test matches. The strike rate was also below 55, which is quite impressive. Also, with the economy rate less than 4 throughout his career, Wasim Akram took 502 ODI wickets (the most by any fast bowler.)
Dennis Lillee: The Godfather of all Pace Bowlers
350 Test wickets taken during his career
A Test bowling average of 23.29
In 2009, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame
Well, saying that Dennis Lillee is the greatest fast bowler to date will not be an exaggerated statement, right?
He is a perfect standard or benchmark for fast-bowling perfection to this day.
The Australian superstar was idolized and hailed by cricketing greats like Sir Richard Hadlee, Malcolm Marshall, and Imran Khan.
They unitedly agree that Dennis Lillee is completely unparalleled. His dynamic combination of pace and accuracy earned him success throughout his career.
Lillee made his test debut on 29 January 1971 against arch-rivals England, and till now, he has been an inspiration for all the fast bowlers.
Dennis Lillee - The Godfather of all Fast bowlers
Unlike Wasim Akram, Lillee was not a master of reverse swing but, his slow cutter made him equally dangerous with the old ball.
His records speak for themselves, as it took him only 70 matches to reach 355 test wickets, and that too with an average below 24! Sounds unbelievable, right?
He was the first-ever fast bowler to reach that 350 mark, and his strike rate was 48.
Lillee played only 48 ODIs and took 103 wickets in 63 matches with an economy rate of almost 3.6.
But, honestly, these stats can’t possibly show what Dennis Lillee was capable of. He was more than just a good fast bowler, he was a menace!
Sydney Barnes: The Skilled Englishman
He took 189 Test wickets throughout his career
A bowling average of 16.43
In 2009, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame
This could be an unpopular and surprising choice but, the true fans of fast bowling would know why we have selected Sydney Barnes.
Most fans these days have probably never heard about the name of this English superstar because he made his test debut way back on 13 December 1901 against Australia.
Despite not having many wickets associated with his name, Barnes has got the best test match average to this date! He took 189 wickets in only 27 international test matches with a remarkable average of 16.43.
Sir Curtly Ambrose: West Indian legend
405 Test match wickets taken
A bowling average of 20.99
He played 98 Test matches for the West Indies
The West Indians have literally ruled the cricketing world once.
From legendary batsmen to extraordinary fast bowlers, they had the most ideal cricket team back in the time. When we talk about the best fast bowlers of all time, mentioning Curtly Ambrose is obligatory.
The 6'7" West Indian has a record of bowling more than 1000 maiden overs in 98 test matches with more than 400 wickets.
The Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose pair used to terrify the batsmen, and for all logical reasons. He played his last match in the year 2000 against Pakistan, and the world has not seen someone like him since.
Ambrose on the warpath Vs Australia
Final Verdict on the Best Fast Bowlers Ever
As we said earlier, selecting six among the hundreds is nearly impossible.
Pacers like Fred Truman, Mike Holding, Malcolm Marshall, Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Shaun Pollock, and Kapil Dev are also not far behind during their peaks. After all, it is fast bowling that makes cricket one of the best games of the modern era. Many youngsters have taken inspiration from these greats, and many more would do the same.
Check out our article on the Greatest all-rounders of all time, as well as the best wicketkeepers and swing bowlers!
