The four Test series between South Africa and Australia, which starts on Thursday in Durban, will see one of the biggest group of genuine fast bowlers ever assembled on a cricket field.
The famed pace attack of West Indies on the 1970s had at least five out and out fast bowlers in the squad at any given time and even Pakistan had at least two serious genuine quicks in the team across decades. However, very rarely has the game witnessed such a high quality of fast bowlers of a major series.
Here we list the fast bowlers from both camps on the basis of top pace achieved in their career. Batsmen, best of luck.
MITCHELL STARC (AUS)
Top speed: 160.4 kph (99.6mph)
Durham sign South Africa’s Aiden Markram; Tom Latham named captain for One-Day Cup
Reaction time for batsman: 0.39 seconds
Currently, the fastest bowler in the world. The Aussie left-arm quick is one of half a dozen fast bowlers who have been clocked at 160 kph. Not only does Starc bowl super quick, he swings the new and old ball, generates reverse swing and has a mean yorker. A near perfect action with a highest possible release point. Who wants to be a batsman?
KAGISO RABADA (SA)
Top speed: 151 kph
Reaction time: 0.42 seconds
The 22-year-old fast bowler is at the absolute peak of his bowling form and fitness. The right arm quick can match Starc for speed, bounce and swing. Plus, he has an amazing cricketing brain and can increase or decrease his pace depending upon the match situation. One of the best of his generation.
PAT CUMMINS (AUS)
Top speed: 151 kph
Reaction time: 0.42 seconds
The Aussie fast bowler has battled injuries throughout his short career. But whenever fit, Cummins has never bowled at less than 100 per cent. Has started to stitch together back-to-back matches without breaking down completely. Rose to prominence after man of the match performance on his Test debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2011.
That last ball from Pat Cummins 😳 Yikes! 🙅♂️ #SAAvAUS pic.twitter.com/VOr2sLV2Iy
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) February 22, 2018
LUNGI NGIDI (SA)
Top speed: 151kph
Reaction time: 0.42 seconds
The find of the season for the Proteas. Ngidi has an easy run up and release but bowls at a tremendous pace, clocking speeds of over 145kph even in his second and third spells. However, since he has just started his career, his body might not be used to long spells of high intensity especially after a demanding series against India.
Ngidi has been the find of the season for South Africa.
MORNE MORKEL (SA)
Top speed: 147kph
Reaction time: 0.43 seconds
The South African bowler has announced his international retirement following the Test series. Has battled serious back injury with question marks over his career last year but did well again India after starting to bowl a lot fuller. Pace not quite what it used to be but still capable of bowling over 140kph all day.
Morkel will retire after the Test series.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD (AUS)
Top speed: 146 kph
Reaction time: 0.43 seconds
The Aussie pacer started off as more of a line and length bowler but has added a couple of yards to his pace. Arguably the most dangerous bowler in the Test series as he maintains his pace and gives absolutely nothing away. The glue that holds Australia’s attack together.
NOTE: Distance between batsman and bowler from point of release of the ball calculated at 17.6m.
