10 most feared fast bowlers in cricket history
If all facets of the game of cricket were based on music genres, fast bowling would certainly qualify as heavy metal. The reason for this is simple; both have the calibre to blow your brain out.Although there have been hundreds of great fast bowlers who have represented different countries throughout the history of cricket, there are a few among them who have made fast bowling an instrument for instilling fear into the minds of batsmen.These men broke speed barriers in much the same manner as they broke bones and their acts made them appear like demons in human form to those who faced them.Let’s take a look at 10 of the most fearsome ones from among the lot:
#10 Mitchell Johnson (Australia)
Australia’s Mitchell Johnson is special because he brought back the concept of fearsome fast bowlers to the game. On pitches which are no longer as pacer-friendly as they used to be, he had the ability to make batsmen jump around in discomfort. He is one of the rare fast bowlers in the present generation who has given bruises and wounds galore to the batsmen. At his best, Johnson transported you back to times of uncovered pitches and ravaging fast bowlers making batsmen dance to their tune.
He made the 2013 Ashes series his own with a brand of aggressive and pacy bowling, which reminded one of legends like Lillee and Thomson who had the same kind of impact on opposition batsmen. If he had been a little more consistent during his early years, Johnson could have been one of the best that the game has seen. But when it comes to the most fearsome ones, he is still right up there with the best.