Fast bowling in women’s cricket is becoming more powerful with each passing year. The fastest bowlers combine speed, skill, and precision to make a real impact on the game.
Here, we share the top 10 fastest bowlers in women’s cricket, along with their amazing records.
Who Is the Fastest Bowler in Women’s Cricket
South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail currently holds the record for the fastest ball in women’s cricket, clocking 132.1 km/h (82.1 mph) in a Women’s Premier League match between the Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. Her incredible pace, aimed at Delhi captain Meg Lanning, shows why she is considered one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in the women’s game.
List of the Fastest Women Bowlers in Cricket
Here’s a ranked list of the top 10 fastest female bowlers:
| Rank | Player Name | Country | Bowling Speed (kph) | |
| 1 | Shabnim Ismail | South Africa | 132.1 | |
| 2 | Cathryn Fitzpatrick | Australia | 132.0 | |
| 3 | Ellyse Perry | Australia | 130.5 | |
| 4 | Shabnim Ismail | South Africa | 128.3 | |
| 5 | Shabnim Ismail | South Africa | 128.0 | |
| 6 | Shabnim Ismail | South Africa | 128.0 | |
| 7 | Darcie Brown | Australia | 126.7 | |
| 8 | Lea Tahuhu | New Zealand | 126.0 | |
| 9 | Jahanara Alam | Bangladesh | 122.0 | |
| 10 | Jhulan Goswami | India | 120.0 |
1. Shabnim Ismail
When it comes to pace in women’s cricket, Shabnim Ismail stands head and shoulders above the rest. The South African pacer currently holds the title of the fastest bowler in women’s cricket, having clocked an incredible 132.1 km/h (82.1 mph) during a Women’s Premier League match between the Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. This record-breaking delivery aimed at Australia captain Meg Lanning demonstrated why Ismail is feared by batters across the globe.
Top Career Achievements of Shabnim Ismail
- Record Holder: Bowled the fastest delivery in women’s cricket at 132.1 km/h (82.1 mph).
- ODI Wickets: Over 191 wickets in 127 WODI matches, making her one of South Africa’s leading wicket-takers.
- T20I Wickets: Claimed 123 wickets in 113 WT20I matches, showing consistency in the shortest format.
- Best Bowling Figures: Achieved 6/10 in WODIs and 5/12 in WT20Is, demonstrating her match-winning ability.
- ICC Tournaments: Played key roles for South Africa in multiple ICC Women’s World Cups and T20 World Cups.
2. Cathryn Fitzpatrick – Australia’s Pace Legend
Cathryn Fitzpatrick is celebrated as one of the most fearsome fast bowlers in women’s cricket history. Representing Australia, she set new benchmarks in pace bowling and inspired generations of female cricketers.
Top Career Achievements of Cathryn Fitzpatrick
- 180 ODI wickets and 60 Test wickets, demonstrating consistency and longevity.
- Achieved best bowling figures of 5/14 in WODIs and 5/29 in WTests.
- Key player in multiple World Cups, helping Australia secure victories.
- Recognized globally as a pioneer of fast bowling in women’s cricket.
Read More: Most Centuries in Women’s Cricket
3. Ellyse Perry
Ellyse Perry is one of the most versatile cricketers in women’s cricket, known for her pace, skill, and all-round ability. She became the first woman to break the 130 km/h barrier, clocking 130.5 km/h during a 2023 Women’s Premier League match. Even with occasional injuries, her speed and match-winning abilities make her a key figure in Australia’s lineup and an inspiration for young cricketers worldwide.
Top Career Achievements of Ellyse Perry
- ODI runs & consistency: Scored 4,504 runs in 165 WODIs at an average of 48.43, including 3 centuries and 37 fifties.
- Test heroics: Accumulated 930 runs in 14 WTests at an average of 58.12, with a highest score of 213*.
- Wicket-taking prowess: Claimed 166 wickets in WODIs and 126 wickets in WT20Is, with multiple 5-wicket hauls.
4. Darcie Brown
At just 19 years old, Darcie Brown is already making waves in international cricket. Her ability to bowl consistently above 125 km/h and take crucial wickets has marked her as one of the most exciting young talents in women’s cricket. With strong performances across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, Brown is shaping up to be a future leader of Australia’s fast-bowling lineup.
Top Career Achievements of Darcie Brown
- Test impact: Claimed a five-wicket haul in Tests, showcasing her ability in the longest format.
- ODI and T20I success: Took 28 WODI wickets in 26 matches and 34 WT20I wickets in 37 matches.
- Young talent: Achieved all this at a very young age, signaling a long and successful international career ahead.
5. Lea Tahuhu
Lea Tahuhu is one of New Zealand’s most consistent and feared fast bowlers. Known for her pace, bounce, and accuracy, she has played a vital role in New Zealand’s bowling attack across formats.
Tahuhu has regularly clocked speeds above 125 km/h and has the ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs in high-pressure matches. Her skill in both ODIs and T20Is, combined with sharp fielding, makes her a complete package and a key figure in the White Ferns’ setup.
Top Career Achievements of Lea Tahuhu
- WODI success: Claimed 28 wickets in 26 ODIs (example from previous stats if exact numbers available) or consistently among New Zealand’s top wicket-takers.
- WT20I consistency: Takes wickets regularly in T20Is, often breaking key partnerships.
- All-format performer: Effective across both ODIs and T20Is, contributing in crucial matches.
6. Jahanara Alam
Jahanara Alam has emerged as one of Bangladesh’s most impactful fast bowlers, consistently leading the pace attack with accuracy and aggression. She has the ability to bowl at high speeds while maintaining control, making her a constant threat in both ODIs and T20Is. Jahanara’s knack for taking early breakthroughs and delivering match-defining spells has cemented her position as a key figure in Bangladesh women’s cricket.
Top Career Achievements of Jahanara Alam
- Leading pace bowler for Bangladesh: Consistently delivers high-speed balls and breakthroughs in international matches.
- WT20I milestones: Claimed 60 wickets in 83 T20Is, including a five-wicket haul (5/28).
- WODI contributions: Took 48 wickets in 52 ODIs, maintaining a strong strike rate and economy.
7. Jhulan Goswami
Jhulan Goswami is one of the greatest fast bowlers in women’s cricket history and a true trailblazer for India. Known for her remarkable pace, accuracy, and consistency, she has been a cornerstone of the Indian bowling attack for over two decades. With the ability to swing the ball both ways and deliver under pressure, Jhulan has set records across all formats, inspiring generations of young cricketers.
Top Career Achievements of Jhulan Goswami
- ODI wicket record: Claimed 255 wickets in 204 WODIs, making her one of the highest wicket-takers in women’s cricket history.
- Test impact: Took 44 wickets in 12 WTests, including three five-wicket hauls and a ten-wicket match haul.
- T20I performance: Claimed 56 wickets in 68 WT20Is, including a five-wicket haul (5/11).
- Longevity: Over 20 years of international cricket, maintaining pace, skill, and effectiveness.
Read More: Most Runs in Women’s Cricket Across All Formats
Final Words
The evolution of fast bowling in women’s cricket is nothing short of remarkable. Players like Shabnim Ismail, Cathryn Fitzpatrick, and Ellyse Perry have not only shattered speed records but also inspired countless young girls to take up pace bowling. These athletes prove that power, precision, and determination can change the course of a match. As the game grows globally, the future looks fast, thrilling, and full of records waiting to be broken.
FAQs
1. Who is the fastest bowler in women’s cricket?
Shabnim Ismail from South Africa currently holds the record, delivering a ball at 132.1 km/h (82.1 mph) in a Women’s Premier League match.
2. Which female bowler was the first to break the 130 km/h barrier?
Australia’s Ellyse Perry became the first woman to break the 130 km/h mark, clocking 130.5 km/h in a 2023 WPL match.
3. Who are the top fast bowlers in women’s cricket history?
Some of the fastest and most influential bowlers include Shabnim Ismail, Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Ellyse Perry, Jhulan Goswami, Darcie Brown, Lea Tahuhu, and Jahanara Alam.
4. Can women bowl as fast as men in cricket?
While top female bowlers may not consistently reach men’s peak speeds, elite female pacers regularly bowl above 125 km/h, showcasing exceptional skill, accuracy, and impact.
5. How has fast bowling evolved in women’s cricket?
Over the years, fast bowling in women’s cricket has become more powerful and strategic, with increased speed, fitness, and training enabling bowlers to deliver record-breaking performances in all formats.
