Fast bowling is an art that excites fans across the globe. While it has always been a highlight in men’s cricket, women’s cricket has also seen a remarkable rise in fast bowling over the past decade.
A bowler who can bowl fast can trouble any batter. In men’s cricket, there are a few instances when the speed goes up to 100 mph. But do you know the fastest delivery in women’s cricket?
Bowling fast needs more strength, both physically and mentally, in this sport. But with the help of consistent training, technologies, and hard work, the women’s cricketers are also clocking good speed. That is what we will discuss here. We will discuss here some of the fastest bowlers in women’s cricket.
Top 5 Fastest Female Bowlers in the World (Ranked by Speed)
Bowler | Country | Top Speed (Kmph) |
---|---|---|
Cathryn Fitzpatrick | Australia | 132 kmph |
Ellyse Perry | Australia | 130.5 kmph |
Jhulan Goswami | India | 128 kmph |
Shabnim Ismail | South Africa | 132.1 kmph |
Lea Tahuhu | New Zealand | 126 kmph |
Also See: Top 10 Most Dangerous Bowlers in World
1. Cathryn Fitzpatrick (Australia)
Former Australian right-arm pacer Cathryn Fitzpatrick made a name for herself by terrorizing the opposition batter with her speed. She played international cricket for 16 years (1991-2007) and was consistent with her speed of over 75 mph (120 kmph). She finished with 60 wickets in 13 tests and 180 wickets in 109 ODIs. According to the available information, Fitzpatrick’s fastest ball reached 132 km/h.
2. Ellyse Perry (Australia)
Australia have been the most successful team in both men’s and women’s cricket. It is because of the quality of players they keep on producing. But Ellyse Perry is certainly a generational talent. Making her debut in 2007, Perry has been dominating the world of cricket with bat and ball. She is the face of women’s cricket globally with unmatched accomplishments. She is a proven match-winner with both bat and ball. She is one of the few female cricketers to break the 130 kmph mark, bowling at a high speed of 130.5 kmph during a T20 game.
Also Read: Australia Cricket Schedule 2025
3. Jhulan Goswami (India)
Former Indian fast bowling icon Jhulan Goswami had a legendary career for India. She played for 19 years (2002-2022) and achieved a lot of success. With a total of 355 international wickets, Jhulan is the leading wicket-taker across all formats in women’s cricket. She made her mark with her speed and consistency and touched the speed of 128 km/h during her illustrious career.
4. Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)
Known for her speed, South Africa’s pace queen Shabnim Ismail makes the cut. She is among the fastest women bowlers currently. Though she retired in 2023, she is still active in the cricket leagues around the globe. She has bowled many deliveries in her international career with a speed of over 127 km/h, making her one of the fastest bowlers. But in the Women’s Premier League 2024, she even clocked a speed of 132.1 km/h, which is the fastest ball ever recorded in women’s cricket.
Also See: South Africa WCL 2025 Team Squad
5. Lea Tahuhu (New Zealand)
Veteran New Zealand pacer Lea Tahuhu also makes her entry on this elite list. The right-arm pacer is one of the fastest bowlers going around in women’s cricket. Though she has slowed down a bit in recent years. But in her early years she was a fierce competitor and used to bowl at great speed. Her fastest delivery reached a speed of 126 km/h (78.3 mph). Lea has been active since 2011 and has 210 international wickets so far.
The Fastest Ball in Women’s Cricket History (Conclusion)
In women’s cricket, a speed of over 120 km/h is considered very fast. There are several women’s cricketers who have crossed this mark in their careers. This article has bowlers who consistently bowled at a high speed during their careers. The list is made on the basis of the data available.
The evolution of women’s cricket continues, and bowlers like Shabnim Ismail have shown that high-speed bowling is no longer limited to men’s cricket.