Top ten fastest bowlers in modern history

Jeff Thomson

2. Jeff Thomson (Australia)

No list of fast bowlers is complete without the Australian legend Jeff Thomson. Known affectionately as “Thommo”, he was among the fastest bowlers of his generation, and formed a powerful combination with another tearaway quick Dennis Lillee.

Before the 1974-75 Ashes series commenced, he made a controversial remark about how much he enjoyed hurting the batsman rather than getting him out. He possessed an unconventionally shorter run-up to the crease, generating his pace through a slinging action – a remnant from his former javelin throwing days. Since he relied more on bounce than movement, the hard Australian tracks were more suited to his style than the slower English wickets.

Thomson ended up taking 33 wickets in his debut Ashes series – and his partnership with Lillee during that season was fearsome. While competing in a fast-bowling contest in 1978, Jeff clocked 147.9 km/h – faster than Holding or Imran Khan. He was also timed at 160.45 km/h using high-speed cameras, and touched 160.57 km/hr through conventional radar. With that kind of speed, a batsman would have had to play his shot more than a quarter of a second before Thomson actually delivered the ball.

As was common with pace bowlers, Thomson also suffered from a spate of injuries, and was less effective in his later career. He retired in 1985, and has served as a commentator.