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 | Bowler | Country | Top Speed (km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shabnim Ismail | South Africa | 132.1 |
| 2 | Cathryn Fitzpatrick | Australia | 132.0 |
| 3 | Ellyse Perry | Australia | 130+ (≈130.5) |
| 4 | Tayla Vlaeminck | Australia | 128 |
| 5 | Jhulan Goswami | India | 128 |
| 6 | Darcie Brown | Australia | 126.7 |
| 7 | Lea Tahuhu | New Zealand | 126 |
| 8 | Lauren Filer | England | 125 |
| 9 | Katherine Sciver‑Brunt | England | 124 |
| 10 | Marizanne Kapp | South Africa | 123 |
#1. Shabnim Ismail
| Key Detail | Information |
| Country | South Africa |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast |
| Fastest Speed | 132.1 km/h |
| World Record | Fastest delivery in women’s cricket |
| Specialty | Extreme pace & aggression |
Shabnim Ismail of South Africa is widely regarded as the fastest female fast bowler ever, redefining pace bowling in women’s cricket. Known for her raw speed, aggressive run-up, and explosive action, Ismail has consistently pushed the limits of what was once thought possible in the women’s game.
Shabnim Ismail holds the official record for the fastest delivery in women’s cricket, clocked at 132.1 km/h. This historic moment came during a top-level professional match, making her the first and only female cricketer to breach the 130 km/h barrier in verified competition. This achievement places her in an elite category, even when compared across eras.
#2. Cathryn Fitzpatrick
| Key Detail | Information |
| Country | Australia |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast |
| Fastest Speed | ~132 km/h |
| World Record | Former fastest delivery in women’s cricket |
| Specialty | Raw pace & wicket-taking ability |
Cathryn Fitzpatrick is widely recognized as one of the fastest and most successful female bowlers in cricket history. She dominated women’s cricket in the 1990s and early 2000s with her express pace, consistency, and wicket-taking ability.
#3. Ellyse Perry
| Key Detail | Information |
| Country | Australia |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast |
| Fastest Speed | ~130.5 km/h |
| World Record | Among fastest female bowlers globally |
| Specialty | Pace, bounce & tactical variations |
When Perry runs in to bowl, batters know they face not just speed, but skill. Her express deliveries, often above 130 km/h, paired with bounce and swing, have troubled some of the best in international cricket.
#4. Tayla Vlaeminck
| Key Detail | Information |
| Country | Australia |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast |
| Fastest Speed | 128 km/h |
| World Record | Among fastest contemporary female bowlers |
| Specialty | Pace, bounce & yorkers |
Tayla Vlaeminck is one of the fastest rising female pacers in modern cricket, known for her raw pace and aggressive bowling style. Despite injuries early in her career, she has emerged as a key strike bowler for Australia.
Read More: Most Centuries in Women’s Cricket
#5. Jhulan Goswami
| Key Detail | Information |
| Country | India |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast |
| Fastest Speed | 128 km/h |
| World Record | Former fastest Indian female bowler |
| Specialty | Pace, swing & consistency |
Jhulan Goswami is one of the most iconic female fast bowlers in cricket history and a trailblazer for women’s pace bowling in India. Her career spanned over two decades, during which she consistently delivered express pace and unmatched experience.
#6. Darcie Brown
| Key Detail | Information |
| Country | Australia |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast |
| Fastest Speed | 126.7 km/h |
| World Record | Among fastest contemporary female bowlers |
| Specialty | Pace, bounce & early breakthroughs |
Darcie Brown’s top bowling speed of 126.7 km/h ranks her among the fastest women in international cricket today. As a right-arm fast bowler, she excels at taking early wickets and unsettling opposition batters. Representing Australia in multiple formats, Brown’s blend of speed, bounce, and accuracy makes her a key weapon in the pace attack.
#7 Lea Tahuhu
| Key Detail | Information |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast |
| Fastest Speed | 126 km/h |
| World Record | Among fastest Kiwi female bowlers |
| Specialty | Pace, bounce & strike bowling |
Lea Tahuhu is one of New Zealand’s most lethal fast bowlers, regularly clocking speeds up to 126 km/h. Her combination of pace, bounce, and seam movement makes her a key strike bowler in ODIs and T20Is, capable of unsettling top batters consistently.
#8. Lauren Filer
| Key Detail | Information |
| Country | England |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast |
| Fastest Speed | 125 km/h |
| World Record | Among fastest contemporary English female bowlers |
| Specialty | Pace, bounce & early breakthroughs |
With a top speed of 125 km/h, Lauren Filer is emerging as a leading pacer for England. She consistently bowls in attacking positions, generating pressure and taking early wickets.
#9. Katherine Sciver‑Brunt
Katherine Sciver‑Brunt is one of England’s most reliable fast bowlers, with a top speed of 124 km/h. Her combination of pace, seam, and accuracy has made her a key player across ODIs, T20Is, and Tests.
| Key Detail | Information |
| Country | England |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast |
| Fastest Speed | 124 km/h |
| World Record | Among fastest English female bowlers |
| Specialty | Pace, seam movement & accuracy |
#10. Marizanne Kapp
| Key Detail | Information |
| Country | South Africa |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast |
| Fastest Speed | 123 km/h |
| World Record | Among fastest South African female bowlers |
| Specialty | Pace, bounce & strike bowling |
Marizanne Kapp is a key member of South Africa’s pace attack, consistently bowling at speeds up to 123 km/h. Her combination of pace, bounce, and accuracy makes her a formidable strike bowler.
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.
