When speed and accuracy meet, cricket fans get excited. In the ICC Women’s World Cups, some bowlers have really impressed everyone. From fast-paced T20 games to classic ODI matches, quick bowlers have changed the game. Here’s a list of the 10 fastest balls in ICC Women’s ODI and T20 World Cups, ranked by their top speeds.
Fastest Balls in Women’s World Cup
| Rank | Speed (km/h) | Speed (mph) | Bowler | Opponent | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 127.4 | 79.2 | Shabnim Ismail | England | T20 WC |
| 2 | 126.7 | 78.7 | Shabnim Ismail | Australia | T20 WC |
| 3 | 125.8 | 78.2 | Shabnim Ismail | England | T20 WC |
| 4 | 125.6 | 78.0 | Lea Tahuhu | Pakistan | T20 WC |
| 5 | 125.5 | 78.0 | Shabnim Ismail | Sri Lanka | T20 WC |
| 6 | 125.5 | 78.0 | Lea Tahuhu | Ireland | T20 WC |
| 7 | 125.0 | 78.0 | Ellyse Perry | South Africa | ODI WC |
| 8 | 125.0 | 78.0 | Shabnim Ismail | Australia | ODI WC |
| 9 | 125.0 | 78.0 | Shabnim Ismail | India | ODI WC |
| 10 | 124.9 | 77.6 | Lea Tahuhu | India | T20 WC |
1. 127.4 km/h (79.2 mph) – Shabnim Ismail vs England
T20 World Cup | 24 Feb 2023 | Semifinal
Last ball of the 6th over and Ismail goes for 127.4 km/h. Still the fastest in ICC Women’s World Cup. South Africa won by 6 runs and made it to the final.
2. 126.7 km/h (78.7 mph) – Shabnim Ismail vs Australia
T20 World Cup | 5 Mar 2020 | Semifinal
Early in the 3rd over and Ismail goes for 126.7 km/h. But South Africa lost by 5 runs.
3. 125.8 km/h (78.2 mph) – Shabnim Ismail vs England
T20 World Cup | 23 Feb 2020
17.1 overs and Ismail goes for 125.8 km/h. South Africa won with 6 wickets remaining.
4. 125.6 km/h (78.0 mph) – Lea Tahuhu vs Pakistan
T20 World Cup | 15 Nov 2018
5th over and Tahuhu goes for 125.6 km/h. New Zealand won by 54 runs.
5. 125.5 km/h (78.0 mph) – Shabnim Ismail vs Sri Lanka
T20 World Cup | 28 Mar 2016
2016 and Ismail was already a fast bowler. Her 125.5 km/h ball at 5.2 overs showed what she would become. But Sri Lanka won by 10 runs.
6. 125.5 km/h (78.0 mph) – Lea Tahuhu vs Ireland T20 World Cup
Two days after her 125.6 km/h ball, Tahuhu went for 125.5 km/h at 2.5 overs. New Zealand won by 8 wickets.
7. 125 km/h (78 mph) – Ellyse Perry vs South Africa
ODI World Cup | 22 Mar 2022
Perry bowled a 125 km/h ball in a tough World Cup match. Australia won by 5 wickets.
8. 125 km/h (78 mph) – Shabnim Ismail vs Australia
ODI World Cup | 22 Mar 2022
In the same game, Ismail matched Perry with a 125 km/h delivery. Though South Africa lost, it was a day for fast bowling.
9. 125 km/h (78 mph) – Shabnim Ismail vs India
ODI World Cup | 27 Mar 2022
Late in the innings, Ismail went for 125 km/h at 48.4 overs. South Africa won by 3 wickets.
10. 124.9 km/h (77.6 mph) – Lea Tahuhu vs India
T20 World Cup | 9 Nov 2018
Tahuhu’s 124.9 km/h ball at 3.4 overs shows she’s one of the fastest in women’s cricket. But New Zealand lost by 34 runs.
These fast deliveries show that women’s cricket has changed. Speed is now part of the game.
