Top 10 Slowest Balls in Cricket History

Cricket is obsessed with statistics. We track batting averages, bowling figures, strike rates, and economy rates. Every number tells a story about a player’s skill and impact.

But there’s one set of numbers that rarely gets the attention it deserves.

Speed readings aren’t just about how fast someone can bowl. The truly interesting data lies at the opposite end of the spectrum.

When you examine the slowest deliveries ever recorded in international cricket, you discover something fascinating about the game’s evolution and psychology.

The top 10 slowest balls in cricket history represent more than just reduced velocity. Each delivery on this list came at a crucial moment.

Each one fooled a batsman who was expecting something completely different. Each one proved that cricket rewards tactical thinking as much as physical ability.

What makes these records particularly interesting is the variety. You’ll find express pacemen who normally bowl at 160 kph dropping down to speeds that would make spinners blush.

You’ll see medium-pacers who built entire careers around variations. You’ll discover moments from World Cups, Ashes battles, and high-pressure bilateral series.

Some of these deliveries won matches single-handedly. Others changed the momentum of entire tournaments. A few became so iconic that cricket fans still watch them on repeat decades later.

The data reveals patterns about which formats favor slower balls, which bowling styles use them most effectively, and how batsmen’s approaches have forced bowlers to adapt.

Modern cricket has made the slower ball more valuable than ever before, especially in T20 leagues where aggression meets strategy.

Slowest Balls in Cricket History

Let’s examine the records that prove going slow can be the fastest path to success.

What Exactly is a Slower Ball?

Think of it this way.

You’re facing a bowler who normally charges in and fires the ball at 140 kph. Your brain gets ready for that speed. Your feet move accordingly. Your bat comes down at the right time.

Now imagine that same bowler suddenly bowls at 110 kph instead.

Your brain doesn’t adjust fast enough. You swing too early. The ball arrives late. You’re either bowled, caught, or you miss it completely.

That’s a slower ball.

It’s not rocket science. It’s deception. Pure and simple.

The Basic Idea

Here’s what happens:

• Fast bowler runs in with full effort
• Batsman expects normal pace (135-150 kph)
• Bowler secretly reduces speed (105-120 kph)
• Batsman’s timing goes wrong
• Wicket falls or dot ball scored

The beauty is that everything looks the same. Same run-up. Same action. Same aggression.

Only the release changes. And batsmen can’t spot it until it’s too late.

Why Do Fast Bowlers Use Slower Balls?

Let me tell you a story.

Back in the 1980s, most fast bowlers had one plan: bowl fast, bowl straight, take wickets. Simple.

Then someone figured out that batsmen were getting comfortable. They’d adjust to the pace after a few balls. Their footwork would settle. Their timing would click.

Solution? Change the pace.

Main Reasons Bowlers Use Slower Deliveries

1. Breaking the rhythm

Batsmen love rhythm. Three balls at 145 kph, and they’re in the zone. One ball at 115 kph? Rhythm broken.

2. Forcing mistakes

When timing goes wrong, batsmen make errors. They hit in the air. They edge it. They get bowled.

3. Control the scoring

In T20 and ODI cricket, stopping boundaries is crucial. A well-disguised slower ball is often a dot ball.

4. Surprise factor

Even great batsmen like Virat Kohli or Steve Smith can be fooled if they don’t pick it.

5. Death over weapon

In the last 5 overs of an ODI or T20, slower balls become gold. Batsmen want to swing hard. Slower balls make clean hitting impossible.

Types of Slower Ball Deliveries

Now let’s get technical. There are several ways to bowl a slower ball.

1. Back-of-the-Hand Ball

This is the classic.

How it works:

• Ball released with the back of your hand facing the batsman
• Creates heavy backspin
• Ball floats through the air
• Dips sharply before reaching batsman

Who uses it: Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dwayne Bravo

Speed drop: Usually 25-35 kph from normal pace

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2. The Off-Cutter

My personal favorite for medium-pacers.

How it works:

• Fingers cut across the ball from left to right (for right-arm bowler)
• Ball grips the pitch and moves away after bouncing
• Batsman expects straight ball, gets movement

Who uses it: Steve Harmison, Chris Woakes, Vernon Philander

Speed drop: 20-30 kph

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3. The Leg-Cutter

Opposite of the off-cutter.

How it works:

• Fingers cut across from right to left
• Ball moves into the batsman after pitching
• Often results in LBW or bowled dismissals

Who uses it: Brett Lee, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins

Speed drop: 25-35 kph

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4. Knuckle Ball

The hardest to master.

How it works:

• Ball held between knuckles instead of fingers
• Almost no spin on the ball
• Wobbles through the air unpredictably

Who uses it: Lasith Malinga (legend at this), Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Speed drop: 30-40 kph

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5. Slower Bouncer

Underrated but effective.

How it works:

• Bowl a bouncer but at reduced pace
• Ball sits up in the air
• Batsman commits to pull shot too early
• Easy catch to fielder

Who uses it: Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Kagiso Rabada

Speed drop: 15-25 kph

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Comparison Table: Slower Ball Types

Type	Difficulty Level	Best Format	Typical Speed Drop	Movement
Back-of-hand	Medium	T20/ODI	25-35 kph	Dip and backspin
Off-cutter	Easy	All formats	20-30 kph	Moves away off pitch
Leg-cutter	Easy	All formats	25-35 kph	Moves in off pitch
Knuckle ball	Very Hard	T20/ODI	30-40 kph	Wobbles in air
Slower bouncer	Medium	T20	15-25 kph	Extra bounce

Top 10 Slowest Ball in Cricket History (Complete List)

Here’s the full breakdown with all the juicy details:

Rank	Bowler	Country	Speed (kph)	Speed (mph)	Year	Opponent	Batsman Out	Format
1	Leigh Kasperek	New Zealand	38	23.6	2017	Australia	None	Women’s ODI
2	Majid Haq	Scotland	67	41.6	2015	Various	Regular delivery	Men’s ODI
3	Naved-ul-Hasan	Pakistan	72	44.7	2004	India	V. Sehwag	ODI
4	Dwayne Bravo	West Indies	117	72.7	2006	India	Yuvraj Singh	ODI
5	Jasprit Bumrah	India	113	70.2	2018	Australia	Shaun Marsh	Test
6	Brett Lee	Australia	118	73.3	2005	West Indies	Brian Lara	Test
7	Steve Harmison	England	119	73.9	2005	Australia	M. Clarke	Test (Ashes)
8	Shoaib Akhtar	Pakistan	120	74.6	2005	England	M. Vaughan	ODI
9	Aaqib Javed	Pakistan	122	75.8	1992	New Zealand	M. Greatbatch	World Cup SF
10	Chris Cairns	New Zealand	124	77.0	1999	England	Chris Read	Test

Case Study #1: Jasprit Bumrah’s Mastery

Bumrah is a modern genius.

His normal speed sits around 140-145 kph. Fast, but not express pace like Shoaib Akhtar.

What makes Bumrah special is his action. It’s so unique that batsmen struggle to pick his variations.

The Shaun Marsh Dismissal (2018)

Let me paint the picture:

Australia batting in a Test match. Shaun Marsh is set and looking comfortable. India needs a breakthrough.

Bumrah runs in. Same slingy action. Same chest-on approach.

But the ball comes out at 113 kph.

That’s a 27 kph drop from his normal pace!

Marsh plays for the quick delivery. His bat comes down expecting 140 kph. The ball arrives so late that it traps him dead in front.

Plumb LBW.

Why It Worked

• Bumrah’s action is hard to read anyway
• No change in run-up speed
• Perfect slower ball length (full, on the stumps)
• Marsh had no time to adjust

This is a perfect example of the slowest ball in cricket history by fast bowler being used tactically.

Case Study #2: Shoaib Akhtar – The Fastest Man’s Secret Weapon

Shoaib owns the record for the fastest ball in cricket history at 161.3 kph.

So when he bowled slower balls, the difference was massive.

The Michael Vaughan Wicket (2005)

England versus Pakistan. Michael Vaughan is the captain and a quality batsman.

Shoaib had been bowling rockets all day. Vaughan was watching the ball carefully, playing late.

Then came the slower ball at 120 kph.

Speed difference: 41 kph!

Vaughan jabbed at it, completely fooled. Easy caught and bowled.

Technique Breakdown

Shoaib used multiple slower balls:

Back-of-hand yorker:

• His signature
• Ball would dip viciously
• Nearly impossible to dig out

Slower bouncer:

• Sat up in the air
• Batsmen would mistakenly pull
• Caught at deep square leg

Leg-cutter:

• Ball would grip and move in
• Trapped many LBW

The lesson? When you can bowl 160 kph, your 120 kph feels like 80 kph to the batsman’s brain.

Case Study #3: Brett Lee’s Calculated Variations

Brett Lee was express pace. 150-160 kph regularly.

But he was also smart. He knew batsmen were waiting for pace.

The Brian Lara Dismissal (2005)

Brian Lara. One of the greatest batsmen ever. Brilliant against pace.

He was batting well, in his 30s, looking set.

Brett Lee tried everything. Bouncers, yorkers, outswing. Nothing worked.

Then he tried a slower ball at 118 kph.

Lara didn’t pick it. The ball hit his pads. Umpire raised the finger.

Lee’s Slower Ball Arsenal

Delivery Type	Speed	When Used	Success Rate
Normal pace	150-160 kph	New batsman	High
Slower ball	115-120 kph	Set batsman	Very High
Slower bouncer	130-135 kph	Middle overs	Medium
Yorker (full pace)	155+ kph	Death overs	Very High

Brett combined pace with deception. That’s why he took 310 Test wickets.

Case Study #4: Dwayne Bravo – The T20 King

Bravo isn’t express pace. He bowls 125-135 kph normally.

But his slower balls? Deadly.

The Yuvraj Singh Match-Winner (2006)

This is cricket drama at its best.

Match situation:

• India needs 2 runs to win
• 3 balls remaining
• 1 wicket in hand
• Yuvraj Singh on strike

Pressure is on Bravo. One bad ball and India wins.

He bowls a slower yorker at 117 kph.

Yuvraj completely misjudges it. The ball drifts into leg stump. Bowled!

West Indies win!

Bravo’s Technique

Bravo uses:

Knuckle ball:

• Grips the ball between thumb and middle finger
• No revolutions on the ball
• Ball floats and dips

Back-of-hand slower ball:

• Released with wrist turned
• Creates heavy backspin
• Ball holds up on pitch

Wide yorker variation:

• Bowled at 110-115 kph
• Batsmen can’t reach it for a clean hit
• Effective in death overs

Bravo has won multiple IPL titles using these variations. He’s the master of the top 10 slowest ball in IPL history discussions.

Case Study #5: Chris Cairns – Old School Deception

Chris Cairns in 1999 pulled off something hilarious.

The Chris Read Confusion

England batsman Chris Read was facing Cairns. A slower ball came down.

Read thought it was a beamer (head-high full toss). He ducked.

But the ball dipped late. It crashed into the stumps!

Why did this happen?

• Cairns disguised it perfectly
• Ball had late dip from backspin
• Read committed to ducking too early
• By the time he realized, too late

This shows that slower balls can confuse even the basic judgment of line and length.

Slowest Ball in Cricket History Women

Women’s cricket deserves its own section.

Leigh Kasperek’s World Record

In 2017, New Zealand’s Leigh Kasperek bowled the slowest ball in cricket history at 38 kph (23.6 mph).

To put that in perspective:

• Average jogging speed: 8-10 kph
• Kasperek’s ball: 38 kph
• Most spinners: 80-90 kph

Why so slow?

Kasperek is an off-spinner. Her game is about loop, flight, and turn. The slower she bowls, the more the ball grips.

At 38 kph, the ball has:

• Maximum flight time in air
• More time to drift sideways
• Heavy dip before pitching
• Sharp turn after bouncing

Other Slow Deliveries in Women’s Cricket

Bowler	Country	Bowling Type	Average Speed	Special Skill
Leigh Kasperek	New Zealand	Off-spin	65-75 kph	Flight master
Poonam Yadav	India	Leg-spin	70-80 kph	Sharp turn
Sophie Ecclestone	England	Left-arm spin	75-85 kph	Drift and dip
Ashleigh Gardner	Australia	Off-spin	70-80 kph	Variations

Women spinners often bowl slower than men because:

• Focus on accuracy over pace
• Smaller boundaries reward turn over speed
• Batsmen struggle with flight more than pace

Slowest Ball in IPL History with Speed

The IPL is the perfect laboratory for slower balls.

Why? Because batsmen try to hit everything for six.

Top IPL Slower Ball Specialists

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Bowler	Team(s)	Slower Ball Type	Estimated Speed	Wickets with Slower Balls	Economy Rate
Dwayne Bravo	CSK, MI	Knuckle ball	110-120 kph	50+	8.2
Jasprit Bumrah	MI	Back-of-hand	112-120 kph	40+	7.4
Bhuvneshwar Kumar	SRH	Off-cutter	115-122 kph	45+	7.8
Rashid Khan	SRH, GT	Googly (slow)	85-95 kph	35+	6.3
Sunil Narine	KKR	Mystery spin	90-100 kph	30+	6.7
Yuzvendra Chahal	RCB, RR	Leg-spin	85-92 kph	25+	7.9

Why Slower Balls Work in IPL

Big grounds:

• Wankhede: Small boundaries
• Chinnaswamy: Flat pitch
• Eden Gardens: Large outfield

Slower balls prevent clean hitting to big boundaries.

Death overs pressure:

• Teams need 12-15 runs per over
• Batsmen swing blindly
• Slower balls = mishits

Pitch conditions:

• Indian pitches slow down as match progresses
• Slower balls grip even more
• Turn and cut help bowlers

Slow Balls vs Fast Balls: The Ultimate Comparison

Let’s settle this once and for all.

Speed Comparison Chart

Delivery Type	Speed Range	Typical Use	Success Rate	Wicket Type
Express pace	150-161 kph	Intimidation	Medium	Bowled, caught behind
Fast pace	140-150 kph	Regular attack	High	All types
Medium-fast	130-140 kph	Control bowling	High	LBW, caught
Slower ball	110-125 kph	Deception	Very High	Caught, bowled
Spin bowling	80-95 kph	Turn and drift	High	Stumped, caught
Ultra-slow	38-70 kph	Extreme flight	Medium	Stumped, bowled

What Stats Tell Us

Fast balls:

• Taken 65% of Test wickets historically
• Best on bouncy pitches (Australia, South Africa)
• Effective against tail-enders

Slower balls:

• Account for 30% of T20 wickets
• Best on slow, low pitches (India, UAE)
• Effective against aggressive batsmen

The sweet spot?

Bowlers who can do both. Like Jasprit Bumrah or Kagiso Rabada.

How to Bowl an Effective Slower Ball (Coaching Tips)

Want to try this yourself? Here’s my coaching advice:

Step 1: Master Your Normal Pace First

Don’t try slower balls until you can bowl 6 good balls in a row at normal pace.

Step 2: Start with Off-Cutter

Easiest variation to learn:

• Grip ball across the seam
• Cut fingers across from left to right
• Follow through normally

Step 3: Practice the Back-of-Hand Ball

• Turn wrist so back of hand faces batsman
• Release with backspin
• Aim full length

Step 4: Use in Match Situations

When to bowl slower balls:

• Batsman looks set (20+ runs)
• After a boundary
• Death overs (16-20 in T20)
• When batsman charges you

When NOT to bowl slower balls:

• First ball of spell
• Swinging conditions
• New batsman on strike

Common Mistakes

Mistake #1: Obvious change in action

• Fix: Keep run-up and action identical

Mistake #2: Wrong length

• Fix: Bowl full (yorker length) for best effect

Mistake #3: Overusing it

• Fix: Maximum 2 per over

Top 5 Slowest Ball in Cricket History (Quick Summary)

For those who want the highlights:

• #1 – Leigh Kasperek (38 kph): Women’s cricket record. New Zealand off-spinner. Shows extreme flight bowling.
• #2 – Majid Haq (67 kph): Scotland spinner. Regular delivery speed, not a variation.
• #3 – Naved-ul-Hasan (72 kph): Dismissed Virender Sehwag. Massive pace drop fooled one of cricket’s best openers.
• #4 – Dwayne Bravo (117 kph): Match-winning delivery against Yuvraj. Pressure situation masterclass.
• #5 – Jasprit Bumrah (113 kph): Modern example of the slowest ball in cricket history by fast bowler technique.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What is the slowest ball ever recorded in cricket?

Leigh Kasperek’s 38 kph delivery in 2017 holds the record. It’s the slowest ball in cricket history, women’s and overall.

• Q: Why do fast bowlers bowl slower balls instead of just bowling fast?

Because batsmen adjust to pace. A well-timed slower ball creates mistimed shots, leading to wickets. It’s about deception, not speed.

• Q: Which bowler has the best slower ball in IPL history?

Dwayne Bravo is considered the king of slower balls in IPL. His knuckleball and back-of-hand variations have won multiple matches and titles.

• Q: How much slower is a slower ball compared to a fast ball?

Typically 25-40 kph slower. Fast bowlers normally bowl 140-150 kph and drop to 110-120 kph for slower balls. The bigger the drop, the more effective.

• Q: Can spinners bowl slower balls too?

Yes! Spinners already bowl slow (80-95 kph) but can go even slower for extra flight and turn. They can also bowl “quicker balls” at 100+ kph to surprise batsmen.

Final Thoughts

Here’s what I want you to remember.

Cricket isn’t just about who bowls the fastest. It’s about who bowls the smartest.

The slowest ball in cricket history teaches us that variation is king.

Whether you’re Shoaib Akhtar with his 161 kph rockets or Leigh Kasperek with her 38 kph floaters, the goal is the same: get the batsman out.

The greatest bowlers understand this:

• Pace without variation = Predictable
• Variation without control = Expensive
• Pace + Variation + Control = Unplayable

Next time you watch an IPL match or an international game, watch the slower balls closely. Notice the bowler’s wrist position.

See how the batsman’s feet don’t move properly. Observe how the ball grips the pitch differently.

That’s cricket at its finest.

Remember: Any bowler can bowl fast after working on fitness. But bowling smart, slower balls? That takes skill, practice, and cricket intelligence.

The art of deception will always beat the art of speed.

Go practice. Try different grips. Experiment. Find what works for you.

And who knows? Maybe one day your slower ball will make it onto a list like this.