by Your brain is constantly making predictions. When you cross a street, you judge the speed of approaching cars.
When you catch a ball, you calculate its trajectory. These split-second calculations happen automatically, without conscious thought.
Cricket batsmen rely on these same instincts, but at an extreme level.
When a fast bowler charges toward the crease, the batsman’s brain immediately begins processing information.
The bowler’s speed, arm position, release point – everything feeds into an unconscious calculation that determines when and how to play the shot.
This system works brilliantly when everything is consistent. But what happens when a bowler deliberately breaks that consistency?
The top 10 slowest balls in cricket history showcase moments when this mental calculation system completely failed.
Batsmen who were set and comfortable suddenly found themselves playing air shots. World-class players looked like beginners. Coaches and commentators could only shake their heads in amazement.
These deliveries weren’t flukes. They were the result of bowlers understanding that cricket is as much a mental game as a physical one.
By changing one variable – speed – they could create chaos in their opponent’s decision-making process.
What’s particularly fascinating is how different bowlers achieved similar results using different methods. Some dropped their pace by 20 kph.
Others by 40 kph. Some used wrist positions, others changed their grip. The technique varied, but the outcome remained consistent: confused batsmen and shattered stumps.
These records span decades of cricket, from the 1990s to the present day. They include men’s and women’s cricket, Tests and T20s, famous names and unlikely heroes.
Top 10 Slowest Balls in Cricket History
Each one teaches us something valuable about how cricket really works.
What Makes a Slower Ball So Deadly?
Before we get to the stories, let me explain something simple.
Your brain is a prediction machine.
When you see a fast bowler running hard toward you, your brain automatically calculates: “This ball is coming at 145 kph. I need to play my shot at this exact moment.”
Now imagine the ball suddenly comes at just 110 kph instead.
Your brain panics. Your feet don’t move right. Your bat swings too early. The ball arrives late.
Result? You look silly.
That’s the genius of a slower ball. It’s pure psychological warfare.
The Three Magic Ingredients
Every great slower ball needs:
- Perfect disguise – The batsman can’t see it coming
- Right moment – Used when batsman feels comfortable
- Brave heart – One mistake and you get smashed for six
Now let me take you through the actual moments that made history.
The Complete Top 10 Slowest Ball in Cricket History
Here’s the full list with every detail you need:
| Rank | Bowler | Country | Speed | Year | Match | Batsman Fooled | What Happened |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leigh Kasperek | New Zealand | 38 kph | 2017 | vs Australia | N/A | Women’s cricket record |
| 2 | Majid Haq | Scotland | 67 kph | 2015 | World Cup | Various | Regular spin speed |
| 3 | Naved-ul-Hasan | Pakistan | 72 kph | 2004 | vs India | Virender Sehwag | Destroyed his stumps |
| 4 | Dwayne Bravo | West Indies | 117 kph | 2006 | vs India | Yuvraj Singh | Match-winning yorker |
| 5 | Jasprit Bumrah | India | 113 kph | 2018 | vs Australia | Shaun Marsh | Trapped LBW |
| 6 | Brett Lee | Australia | 118 kph | 2005 | vs West Indies | Brian Lara | LBW decision |
| 7 | Steve Harmison | England | 119 kph | 2005 | Ashes vs Australia | Michael Clarke | Off-stump destroyed |
| 8 | Shoaib Akhtar | Pakistan | 120 kph | 2005 | vs England | Michael Vaughan | Caught and bowled |
| 9 | Aaqib Javed | Pakistan | 122 kph | 1992 | World Cup Semi | Mark Greatbatch | Critical wicket |
| 10 | Chris Cairns | New Zealand | 124 kph | 1999 | vs England | Chris Read | Batsman ducked, bowled |
Story #1: Leigh Kasperek – The Slowest Ball Ever Bowled (38 kph, 2017)
Let me start with the world record.
New Zealand versus Australia. Women’s ODI cricket. 2017.
Leigh Kasperek, an off-spinner, was bowling to the Australian batters. She decided to give the ball maximum air time.
The delivery clocked just 38 kph.
To give you perspective, that’s slower than most people ride a bicycle! It’s the slowest ball in cricket history, women and the slowest ever recorded in any format.
Why This Matters
Kasperek wasn’t trying to bowl slow for a gimmick. This is her actual style.
As an off-spinner, she relies on:
- Loop in the air
- Drift to the side
- Sharp turn after bouncing
- Batsmen misjudging the flight
At 38 kph, the ball has so much hang time that batsmen lose track of it. Their eyes deceive them. They play too early or too late.
The crowd reaction? Silence followed by nervous laughter. Nobody had seen anything that slow before!
This delivery set a benchmark that still stands today. It proves that in cricket, extreme slowness can be just as valuable as extreme speed.
Story #2: Majid Haq – Scotland’s Slow Spin Master (67 kph, 2015)
The 2015 World Cup brought Scotland to the big stage.
Majid Haq, their off-spinner, was their secret weapon. Unlike others on this list, Majid didn’t bowl one special slower ball. He bowled at 67 kph all the time!
The Underdog Story
Scotland isn’t a major cricket nation. They don’t have express pacers or superstars.
But Majid showed that slow, accurate spin can trouble anyone.
His deliveries would:
- Dip late in flight
- Grip the pitch hard
- Turn sharply
- Force batsmen into errors
What made it special: In a world obsessed with 150 kph thunderbolts, Majid proved that 67 kph can be just as dangerous if bowled with skill.
The crowd always respected him. Every dot ball felt like a small victory for the underdog.
Story #3: Naved-ul-Hasan vs Virender Sehwag – The Destroyer Gets Destroyed (72 kph, 2004)
Now we get into the drama.
India versus Pakistan. First match of a five-game ODI series. The rivalry doesn’t get bigger than this.
Virender Sehwag was on fire. He’d smashed 82 runs from just 56 balls. The Pakistani bowlers were getting murdered.
Naved-ul-Hasan had already conceded 38 runs in 2.1 overs. He was desperate.
The Moment of Brilliance
Naved decided to gamble everything on one ball.
He bowled a slow yorker at just 72 kph – nearly half his normal pace!
What happened next:
The ball drifted in the air. Sehwag, expecting pace, was already committed to his shot. The yorker sneaked through and crashed into leg stump.
Gone!
Why It Worked
- Sehwag was in full attack mode
- His brain expected 130+ kph
- The 58 kph difference was too much
- His bat came down way too early
Crowd reaction: Stunned silence in India. Wild celebrations in Pakistan.
This is one of the best examples of the slowest ball in cricket history in India (match played in India). Even though Naved lost the battle (38 runs conceded), he won this crucial moment.
Story #4: Dwayne Bravo vs Yuvraj Singh – The Ultimate Pressure Test (117 kph, 2006)
This one still gives me goosebumps.
India needed 2 runs to win. 3 balls left. 1 wicket remaining.
Yuvraj Singh, one of India’s most feared hitters, was on strike. One clean hit and India wins.
Dwayne Bravo had the ball. The pressure was crushing.
The Match-Winning Ball
Bravo decided to bowl a slow yorker at 117 kph.
Time seemed to stop. The ball left his hand. It floated toward Yuvraj. It dipped late.
Yuvraj misjudged completely. The ball drifted into the leg stump.
BOWLED!
The Aftermath
West Indies won by 1 run!
Why this slower ball is legendary:
- The highest pressure situation imaginable
- Against one of the world’s best hitters
- Perfect execution under stress
- Won the match single-handedly
Crowd reaction: The Indian fans sat in shocked silence. The West Indian players mobbed Bravo. He became an instant hero.
This delivery taught every young bowler: trust your slower ball even when everything is on the line.
Story #5: Jasprit Bumrah vs Shaun Marsh – Modern Genius (113 kph, 2018)
Fast forward to 2018. India versus Australia in a Test match.
Jasprit Bumrah had already become India’s premier fast bowler. But what made him special wasn’t just pace – it was his brain.
Shaun Marsh was batting well. He looked comfortable. India needed a breakthrough.
The Unreadable Action
Bumrah’s action is already weird. His slingy, chest-on approach makes it hard to pick length and pace.
So when he bowled a slower ball at 113 kph, Marsh had zero chance.
The setup:
- Bumrah’s normal pace: 140-145 kph
- This delivery: 113 kph
- Speed drop: 27-32 kph
Marsh played for the quick ball. His front foot moved forward, expecting 140 kph. But the ball arrived so late that it trapped him right in front.
LBW. Plumb.
Why Commentators Went Crazy
This is a perfect example of the slowest ball in cricket history by a fast bowler in the modern era.
Bumrah proved that you don’t need to drop speed by 50 kph. Even a 27 kph change is deadly if disguised perfectly.
Crowd reaction: The Indian fans roared. Bumrah just smiled – he knew exactly what he’d done.
Story #6: Brett Lee vs Brian Lara – When the Express Train Brakes (118 kph, 2005)
Brett Lee normally bowled at 150-160 kph. One of the fastest men on the planet.
Brian Lara was one of the greatest batsmen ever. Brilliant against pace.
In 2005, they faced each other in a Test match.
The Chess Match
Lara was batting beautifully. He’d reached the 30s and looked set for a big score.
Brett Lee tried everything:
- 158 kph rockets
- Sharp bouncers
- Swinging yorkers
Nothing worked. Lara was too good.
Then Lee had an idea. What if I go slow?
The Killer Delivery
Lee bowled at 118 kph – a massive 37-42 kph drop from his normal pace.
The ball hit Lara’s pads. The umpire’s finger went up.
Out LBW!
The Psychology
Lara’s entire batting approach was based on Lee’s pace. His footwork, timing, and shot selection all assumed 155 kph deliveries.
When the ball came at 118 kph, his brain couldn’t adjust in 0.4 seconds.
Crowd reaction: Absolute shock. Even Lara smiled in disbelief as he walked off. He’d been completely outsmarted.
Story #7: Steve Harmison vs Michael Clarke – The Edgbaston Magic (119 kph, 2005)
The 2005 Ashes. England versus Australia. One of the greatest Test series ever.
Late Saturday evening at Edgbaston. The match is perfectly balanced. Every ball matters.
Steve Harmison was bowling to a young Michael Clarke.
The Perfect Off-Cutter
Harmison disguised a slow off-cutter at 119 kph.
The ball gripped the pitch. It cut away from Clarke. It hit the off-stump.
BOWLED!
Why This Moment is Iconic
- Ashes cricket – the most intense rivalry
- Perfect execution – pitch, pace, movement
- Crucial wicket at a crucial time
- Clarke was completely deceived
Crowd reaction: The English crowd went absolutely berserk. Harmison was mobbed by teammates. This single delivery is shown in Ashes highlight reels to this day.
Cricket fans still watch this clip on repeat. It’s textbook slow ball bowling.
Story #8: Shoaib Akhtar vs Michael Vaughan – The Fastest Man’s Trick (120 kph, 2005)
Shoaib Akhtar holds the record for the fastest ball in cricket history – 161.3 kph.
So imagine being Michael Vaughan, facing this speed demon, and suddenly he bowls at 120 kph!
The Setup
England versus Pakistan. 2005. Vaughan was the English captain and a quality batsman.
Shoaib had been bowling absolute thunderbolts. Vaughan was watching carefully, playing late, respecting the pace.
Then Shoaib changed the plan.
The Slow Yorker
120 kph. That’s it.
Speed difference from his normal pace: 41 kph!
Vaughan jabbed at it awkwardly. The ball ballooned back to Shoaib.
Caught and bowled. Gone.
What Made This Special
The bigger the pace gap, the more effective the slower ball becomes.
When you can bowl at 161 kph, your 120 kph feels like 80 kph to the batsman’s brain.
Crowd reaction: Half the crowd laughed. The other half applauded the genius. Vaughan just shook his head – he’d been completely fooled.
Story #9: Aaqib Javed vs Mark Greatbatch – World Cup Drama (122 kph, 1992)
1992 World Cup. Pakistan versus New Zealand. Semi-final.
This is knockout cricket. One mistake and you go home.
Mark Greatbatch was batting brilliantly for New Zealand. He’d already smashed Wasim Akram and Aaqib Javed for sixes. He was in the zone.
The Match-Turning Delivery
Aaqib tried a slower ball earlier – Greatbatch was outside the line, not out.
But Aaqib didn’t give up. He tried again.
This time, a perfect slow leg-cutter at 122 kph.
Greatbatch advanced down the pitch, trying to hit it over the top. But he completely misjudged the flight.
Bowled!
The Impact
This wicket changed the match. Pakistan went on to win the semi-final and eventually won the World Cup.
Crowd reaction: Pakistani fans knew this was the turning point. One slower ball had potentially won them a World Cup.
Story #10: Chris Cairns vs Chris Read – The Hilarious Dismissal (124 kph, 1999)
This one is both brilliant and funny.
England versus New Zealand. 1999 Test match.
Chris Read was batting for England. Chris Cairns was bowling.
The Confusion
Cairns bowled a slower ball at 124 kph.
Read saw it early and thought: “This is a beamer! Head-high full toss! I should duck!”
So he ducked.
But here’s the thing – the ball had massive backspin. It dipped late.
By the time Read realized his mistake, the ball had already crashed into his stumps.
BOWLED while ducking!
Why This Happened
- Perfect disguise from Cairns
- Late dip fooled Read’s judgment
- Read is committed to ducking too early
- Hilarious outcome
Crowd reaction: The entire stadium burst into laughter. Even Read smiled as he walked off. It was embarrassing but also brilliant bowling.
Slowest Ball in Cricket History Women: Breaking Barriers
Women’s cricket deserves special recognition.
Leigh Kasperek’s Record (38 kph)
We mentioned this earlier, but let’s dig deeper.
In 2017, Kasperek set a record that might never be broken. 38 kph is absurdly slow.
Why women spinners bowl slower:
- Different physical approach to bowling
- Focus on accuracy and turn over pace
- Smaller boundaries reward flight bowling
- Batsmen struggle more with loop than speed
Other Notable Women Bowlers
| Bowler | Country | Type | Average Speed | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poonam Yadav | India | Leg-spin | 70-80 kph | Sharp turn |
| Sophie Ecclestone | England | Left-arm spin | 75-85 kph | Drift |
| Ashleigh Gardner | Australia | Off-spin | 70-80 kph | Variations |
| Deepti Sharma | India | Off-spin | 72-82 kph | Control |
The emotional side: Women’s cricket is growing fast. Records like Kasperek’s prove that women cricketers are creating their own legacy, not copying the men’s game.
Top 10 Slowest Balls in IPL History: T20 Madness
The IPL changed cricket forever. Batsmen became ultra-aggressive. Bowlers had to adapt.
IPL Slower Ball Masters
Here’s who dominated:
| Bowler | Teams | Slower Ball Type | Speed Range | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwayne Bravo | CSK, MI | Knuckle ball | 110-120 kph | Extremely High |
| Jasprit Bumrah | MI | Back-of-hand | 112-120 kph | Very High |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | SRH | Off-cutter | 115-122 kph | High |
| Rashid Khan | SRH, GT | Googly variation | 85-95 kph | Extremely High |
| Sunil Narine | KKR | Mystery spin | 90-100 kph | Very High |
Why Slower Balls Dominate IPL
- Flat pitches: Indian wickets are batting paradises. Slower balls’ grip helps bowlers.
- Big hitters: IPL has the world’s most aggressive batsmen. Slower balls force mistimed shots.
- Death overs: Last 5 overs decide matches. Slower balls prevent clean hitting.
- Famous IPL slower ball moment: Bravo’s knuckle ball to dismiss AB de Villiers in a final. The crowd went silent in disbelief.
What Young Bowlers Can Learn?
If you’re a young cricketer reading this, here’s my advice:
Lesson #1: Speed Isn’t Everything
All 10 bowlers on this list proved that outsmarting batsmen beats overpowering them.
Lesson #2: Practice Variations
Don’t just bowl fast or slow. Learn:
- Off-cutters
- Leg-cutters
- Knuckle balls
- Back-of-hand deliveries
Lesson #3: Pick the Right Moment
Don’t bowl slower balls randomly. Use them when:
- Batsman looks comfortable
- After conceding a boundary
- In death overs
- When batsman is charging
Lesson #4: Disguise is Key
Keep your action identical. Change only:
- Wrist position
- Finger pressure
- Ball release point
Lesson #5: Be Brave
Dwayne Bravo could have bowled a fast yorker to Yuvraj. Instead, he trusted his slower ball. That’s courage.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the slowest ball ever bowled in cricket?
Leigh Kasperek’s 38 kph delivery in 2017 is the slowest ball in cricket history, recorded in a women’s ODI between New Zealand and Australia.
- Q: Why do fast bowlers use slower balls?
To deceive batsmen who expect pace. The sudden change in speed disrupts timing, causing mistimed shots and wickets.
- Q: Who bowled the best slower ball in IPL?
Dwayne Bravo is widely considered the king of slower balls in IPL, with his knuckle ball and variations winning multiple matches and tournaments.
- Q: Can slower balls work against great batsmen?
Absolutely! Brian Lara, Virender Sehwag, and Yuvraj Singh – all legends – were dismissed by slower balls when they least expected them.
- Q: How much practice does it take to master slower balls?
Professional bowlers spend years perfecting variations. Start with simple off-cutters and gradually add more difficult variations like knuckle balls.
Final Thoughts: The Art of Deception
Cricket taught me something beautiful through these stories.
Success isn’t always about being the biggest, fastest, or strongest. Sometimes it’s about being the smartest.
The slowest ball in cricket history proves that variation beats monotony. Intelligence beats strength. Patience beats aggression.
When Leigh Kasperek bowled at 38 kph, she wasn’t weak. She was strategic.
When Shoaib Akhtar dropped from 161 kph to 120 kph, he wasn’t slowing down. He was leveling up.
When Dwayne Bravo trusted his slower ball with the match on the line, he wasn’t lucky. He was prepared.
The lesson for all of us:
In cricket and in life, sometimes the bravest thing you can do is slow down when everyone expects you to go faster.
Watch these moments. Study them. Appreciate them.
Because these aren’t just cricket deliveries. They’re masterclasses in strategy, psychology, and courage.
The next time you watch a match, pay attention to the slower balls. Notice how the batsman’s feet get stuck. See how the ball dips and grips. Feel the tension in the stadium.
That’s when cricket becomes art.
Remember this: The fastest bowler gets headlines. The smartest bowler gets wickets.
Now go practice your slower balls. Who knows? Maybe one day, your name will be on a list like this.
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