New Zealand's coach raises question on the legitimacy of speed tracking technology after Starc clocks 160.4 kph

Starc clocked a speed of 160.4 kph today

According to Cricket Australia, Australian speedster Mitchell Starc bowled the fastest delivery of his career today against New Zealand, on day three of the second Test match of the series at WACA. The left-hander bowled an exclusive spell consisting mostly of 150+ kph deliveries.

His fastest ball was recorded at 160.4 kph, which he bowled to the double centurion Ross Taylor. One of his deliveries even broke Brendon McCullum’s bat, and the kiwi batsman had to ask for a new one.

However, after the day’s play got over, New Zealand’s batting coach Craig McMillan disputed the legitimacy of the speed tracking technology.

The former Kiwi batsman said, "Maybe someone in the truck was having a bit of fun. It looked pretty similar to a lot of the other deliveries throughout the day that were closer to 150 than 160.

"I'm not sure whether maybe the wrong button was pushed or what. I was a bit surprised when I saw it come up on the TV, because I think a couple of the spinner's deliveries were quite high as well. I just wonder whether there was a technical problem down at the truck that may be led to that."

Starc looked visibly annoyed by McMillan’s comments and asked him to face the bowler in the nets tomorrow so as to get a clear idea of the speed of his deliveries.

"I'm happy for him to face me in the nets tomorrow if he wants," Starc said.

McCullum’s bat was broken by a stinging Starc delivery

The fastest ever delivery recorded was bowled by none other than Shoaib Akhtar against England in 2003. The Pakistani clocked a speed of 161.3 km/h. The Australian duo of Shaun Tait and Brett Lee fall second in the fastest ball bowlers list. Both of them bowled their fastest deliveries at 161.1 km/h.

Legendary Australian bowler, Jeff Thompson lies third in the list as he was clocked at 160.6 km/h. Though, this delivery was bowled in a net-session and not in a match.

Starc’s 160.4 km/h delivery today certainly makes it the fastest ever ball bowled in a Test match. However, he was not been able to grab a wicket or two in the thundering spell as Nathan Lyon and later Mitchell Marsh dropped catches in his two back to back overs.

When quizzed about the drop catches, Starc said, “They're always frustrating aren't they. Nobody means to drop catches but when the wicket's this flat and the Kiwis are batting as well as they are, it's important we take our chances."