Cricket bowling speed is classified into various categories, which are determined by the speed of the ball when it is delivered to the batsman.
Categories of bowling speeds in cricket
The bowling speeds in cricket are classified, using the categories below:
- Fast (Express) – 90+ miles per hour/145 km/h
- Fast-medium – 80-89 mph (aprroximately 129-145 km/h)
- Medium-fast – 70-79 mph (113-129 km/h)
- Medium – 60-69 mph (97-113 km/h)
- Medium-slow – 50-59 mph (80-97 km/h)
- Slow-medium 40-49 mph (64-80 km/h)
- Slow – below 40 miles/64 km per hour
There are only a few bowlers in international cricket who have the skills to bowl a cricket ball over 150 kilometers per hour (93.2 miles per hour).
Why is cricket bowling speed classification important?
The classification of a bowler’s speed is important because it helps to determine the type of bowling attack that is most appropriate for the situation. A fast bowler is typically used when the team wants to take wickets quickly, while a slow bowler is used when the team wants to restrict the batsman’s scoring. The fastest bowlers in the world can deliver the ball at speeds of up to 160 km/h (100 mph), while the slowest bowlers can deliver the ball at speeds of around 50 km/h (30 mph).
Factors that impact the speed
In general, the speed of a bowler’s delivery is determined by a combination of the following factors:
The bowler’s height and build
The taller a bowler is, the faster the cricket bowler will be able to bowl the ball. This is because a taller bowler has more leverage and can generate more speed and power when they swing their arm.
The cricket bowler’s swing
The swing of the cricket bowler also affects the speed of the ball. A bowler who swings his arm quickly will be able to deliver the ball at a significantly faster speed than a bowler who swings their arm slowly.
The condition of the cricket pitch
The condition of the pitch also affects the speed of the ball. A wet pitch will slow the ball down, while a dry pitch will speed the ball up.