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Bowling speeds: The next generation of 'Fast Guns' Eddie Smith - 9 April 2001
Yesterday (8th April), young Pakistani speed sensation Mohammad Sami bowled a delivery registering 91 Miles per hour (146.4kmh) to Kaluwitharana of Sri Lanka. To many Pakistan fans, this was a signal that the slimly built 20-year-old had arrived as a genuine fast bowler. With this in mind I've put together a little package of a few of the young 'Fast Guns' around the world, who are currently making their mark for their country or may soon grace the international stage.
A couple of Australian youngsters Michael Thistle (W.A) and Mitchell Johnson (A.C.A) have both been clocked at around 139kmh. Johnson (born 2/11/1981) and 18 at the time, was operating off a short run as he was recovering from stress fractures. This is the only time that he has been timed by radar. Some members of the Australian U19 team management believe that the tall left-armer is faster than Brett Lee was at the same age.
18-year old South African youngster Monde Zondeki (born 25/7/1982) bowled a delivery playing for Border against the touring New Zealand team recorded at 143kmh in November 2000. His fastest recorded ball is 145kmh. Mathew Appleby has labelled him as possibly the next Allan Donald. Mfuneko Ngam (born 29/1/1979) of South Africa has been clocked at 150kmh in a match between Eastern Province and Border, 2000. He has recorded 148.4 at Durban V SL, 2000. Mohammad Sami (born 24/2/1981) of Pakistan, has been timed at 146.4kmh on the 9th April 2001. He also clocked 143kmh on his international debut V NZ, 10/3/01. He has just turned 20 years of age. Dilhara Fernando (born 19/7/1979), from Sri Lanka, has bowled at 148kmh and registered 147kmh on the 26th December 2000 against RSA. He is now 21-years-old. Some West Indian born young 'Fast Guns' are 18-year-old Robert Joseph, born in Antigua and currently with Kent in England; and Ravi Rampaul who last year dominated at the U15 World Championship series. The big hope for Bangladesh is Mohammed Sharif. He is about as quick as anyone in the Bangladesh squad and he is only 17-years-old. He made his international debut on the 7/4/2001 against Zimbabwe. 20-year-old Zimbabwe speedster Travis Friend (7/1/1981) has been timed at 138kmh playing Australia on the 21st January 2001. He is presently Zimbabwe's fastest bowler.
© CricInfo Ltd.
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