5 times the speed guns recorded a questionable high speed for a bowler ft. Mohammed Siraj in BGT 2024-25
The accuracy of the speed gun technology once again came under the scanner during the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test between India and Australia. The incident took place at the fag end of Day 1 during Australia's first innings.
Speed guns were originally introduced in 1999 to measure how fast the ball travels across the pitch. The invention helped bowlers track their pace and work on them. Similarly, the batters used the data to plan against opposition bowlers.
While speed guns have made life easy for cricket teams, they come with their own set of problems. Often, the speed meter has malfunctioned, showing questionable speeds of bowlers - both in international cricket and T20 leagues across the world.
On that note, let's take a look at five occasions speed guns recorded a questionable high speed for a bowler.
#1 Washington Sundar
The young all-rounder was picked ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. He had a decent game, picking up two wickets and scoring some valuable runs with the bat.
However, what caught everyone's attention was the erroneous speed that showed in the speed meter while he was bowling. One of Sundar's delivery speeds was recorded at 140.6 kph. While the speed is quite okay for a fast bowler, it is unnatural for an off-spinner like Sundar.
#2 Matheesha Pathirana
Young Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana was also a victim of a speed gun malfunction. Pathirana was first spotted at the age of 17 during the 2020 U19 World Cup.
During a game against India in Bloemfontein, Pathirana sent a thunderbolt to Yashasvi Jaiswal, clocking a staggering 175 km/hr (108 mph) on the speed meter. While the Lankan pacer is known for racking up a good pace, the 175km/hr seemed too much for the youngster. Later, the speed of that delivery was reported as a technical error.
#3 Lauren Bell
While speed meters showing inaccurate numbers is common in men's cricket, there haven't been many instances where the speed guns have malfunctioned in women's cricket.
One such incident took place during a game between India Women and England Women at the Riverside Ground in Durham. One of the highlights of that game was debutant Lauren Bell's quick delivery in the first ball of India's innings.
The speedometer showed an astounding 107 mph, however, the ball was nowhere close to it. Notably, former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar bowled the fastest delivery in the world - clocking 100 mph.
#4 Bhuvneshwar Kumar
The veteran India pacer is known for his bowling tight line and length. He was never famous for being express fast but bowled consistently in the region of 130-135 kph.
However, during a rain-curtailed T20I between India and Ireland, Bhuvneshwar's bowling speed shot up to 201 kph and 208 kph, which is a lot over his average speed. It is well and truly above Shoaib Akhtar's fastest delivery, which is still the quickest ball bowled on the earth.
#5 Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj had an eventful outing with the ball in Australia's first innings, returning with a four-wicket haul. He was also involved in heated altercations with Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head.
However, what attracted everyone's attention the most was the wrong speed captured by the speedometer on Day 1 of the day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval. The incident took place in the final delivery of the 24th over of the innings, which showed 181.6 kmph on the speedometer.
The incident triggered a lot of memes on social media, with many making fun of the Indian pacer.