Top ten fastest bowlers in modern history

Michael Holding

6. Michael Holding (West Indies)

One of the fastest bowlers to have played the game, Michael Holding was fortunate enough to play in an era when the West Indies were kings of world cricket. He formed a vital part of the famed pace battery consisting of Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall, Sylvester Clarke, Colin Croft and Wayne Daniel.

In a rarity for a quick bowler, Holding had a quiet, smooth run-up to the bowling crease; hence his nickname ‘Whispering Death’. His bowling was very smooth and fast, and he used the advantage of height to generate a lot of bounce and zip off the pitch. He was one of the outstanding performers on the tour to England in 1976, as his team swept Tony Greig’s men 3-0.

Holding forged a strong partnership with Andy Roberts, with the pair taking 216 Test wickets between them – and in 1981, bowled ‘the greatest over in Test history’ to Geoff Boycott, troubling the thorny Yorkshireman with the first five deliveries, each speedier than the last. The final ball saw Boycott being bowled, delighting the Bridgetown crowd.

Holding is now a noted cricket commentator and has also been an ICC official for a short period of time since his retirement. He is also a vocal critic of Twenty20, contending that it isn’t good for the game of cricket.