Top ten fastest bowlers in modern history

Shane Bond

9. Shane Bond (New Zealand)

Described as New Zealand’s best fast bowler since Richard Hadlee, the enigmatic Shane Bond is the rare blend of speed and accuracy that is missing from some of the current crop of pacers. At his best, he was capable of regularly bowling at speeds in excess of 145 km/hr; yet, he was also hampered by the bane of sportsmen – recurrent injuries, particularly of the back and the foot, forced him to call time on his international career in 2010.

Bond’s best ODI performances include a match-winning haul of 6/19 against India in 2005, a brilliant hat-trick against Australia in 2007 and another haul of 6/23 against the same opponents in the 2003 World Cup; the Kangaroos were his favourite ‘prey’, as was evident by his solid performances against them. He also turned out for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, having received amnesty from the NZ Cricket Board after signing up for the now-defunct ICL.

Currently, Bond, a former police officer, is the bowling coach of the NZ national cricket team, and has served in this capacity for the Central Districts Stags in the HRV Cup as well as the 2010 Champions League.