Top 5 Fastest Wicket-taking Deliveries In Champions Trophy History

Pace bowling has always been one of the most thrilling aspects of One Day International (ODI) cricket. The sight of a bowler steaming in, generating express speed, and sending the stumps flying or forcing an edge is what makes the sport so electrifying. The ICC Champions Trophy, often dubbed the “mini World Cup,” has witnessed some of the most fearsome fast bowling spells in cricketing history.

From Brett Lee’s lethal pace in the 2009 edition to the fiery spells of Mark Wood and Kagiso Rabada in the 2025 tournament, speedsters have left batters clueless with their raw aggression. These bowlers not only clocked speeds well above 90 mph but also ensured their deliveries resulted in wickets—making them truly iconic moments in the history of the Champions Trophy.

In this article, we take a deep dive into the five fastest wicket-taking deliveries in Champions Trophy history, analyzing what made these moments special and how they shaped the tournament.

1. Brett Lee – 94.1 mph vs Grant Elliott (2009 Champions Trophy, South Africa)

When it comes to sheer pace, few bowlers in cricket history can match the ferocity of Australia’s Brett Lee. The 2009 ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa saw Lee at his absolute best, bowling with express speed and rattling batters with his raw aggression.

During Australia’s encounter with New Zealand, Lee delivered an astonishing 94.1 mph (151.4 km/h) thunderbolt to dismiss Grant Elliott. The ball pitched in a perfect area and zipped through at lightning speed, uprooting Elliott’s stumps before he could react. The sheer pace of the delivery left the batter shell-shocked, marking it as the fastest wicket-taking ball in Champions Trophy history.

Why it was special?

The fastest wicket-taking delivery ever recorded in Champions Trophy history.
A perfect execution of speed and accuracy, leaving the batter helpless.
A crucial breakthrough in a high-stakes match, reinforcing Australia’s dominance.

Lee’s ability to generate such speed consistently made him one of the most feared bowlers in the game, and this dismissal was a testament to his brilliance.

2. Mark Wood – 93.4 mph vs Steve Smith (2025 Champions Trophy, Lahore)

Fast forward to 2025, and England’s Mark Wood etched his name in Champions Trophy history with a breathtaking display of pace bowling. Facing Australia in Lahore, Wood produced a 93.4 mph (150.3 km/h) screamer that sent Steve Smith packing.

Known for his exceptional technique and ability to handle fast bowling, Smith rarely gets hurried at the crease. However, Wood’s delivery was so rapid that even a batter of Smith’s caliber was caught off guard. The ball reared off the surface, took the edge, and flew to the wicketkeeper, handing England a massive breakthrough.

Why it was special?

The fastest wicket-taking delivery by an English bowler in Champions Trophy history.
Dismissed one of the finest batters in world cricket, Steve Smith.
A defining moment in England’s resurgence in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Wood’s express pace played a pivotal role in England’s campaign, proving that they possessed a genuine fast-bowling weapon.

3. Kagiso Rabada – 92.5 mph vs Ibrahim Zadran (2025 Champions Trophy, Karachi)

South Africa has always been known for producing world-class fast bowlers, and Kagiso Rabada is no exception. In the 2025 edition, Rabada delivered one of the most unplayable deliveries of the tournament, clocking 92.5 mph (148.9 km/h) against Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran in Karachi.

The delivery was full, straight, and at express pace—leaving Zadran with no time to react. The ball crashed into the stumps in spectacular fashion, completely dismantling Afghanistan’s batting lineup and shifting momentum in South Africa’s favor.

Why it was special?

The fastest wicket-taking delivery by a South African bowler in Champions Trophy history.
A perfectly executed yorker that shattered the stumps.
A crucial breakthrough that led to Afghanistan’s collapse.

Rabada’s ability to generate high speeds with precision made him one of the standout bowlers of the 2025 tournament, proving why he is one of the most feared pacers in modern cricket.

4. Brett Lee – 92.3 mph vs Owais Shah (2009 Champions Trophy, South Africa)

Brett Lee features once again on this prestigious list, this time for another scorching delivery in the 2009 Champions Trophy. In Australia’s match against England, Lee produced a 92.3 mph (148.5 km/h) delivery that completely bamboozled Owais Shah.

What made this delivery special was the late swing Lee managed to generate at such a high pace. Shah misjudged the movement, played down the wrong line, and saw his stumps rattled in dramatic fashion. The sheer brutality of the delivery highlighted Lee’s unique ability to combine raw speed with skill.

Why it was special?

The second-fastest wicket-taking delivery in Lee’s Champions Trophy career.
A textbook example of how speed and swing can outclass a technically sound batter.
Played a crucial role in Australia’s dominance in the 2009 edition.

Lee’s impact in the 2009 Champions Trophy was phenomenal, and this wicket was another shining example of his brilliance.

5. Brett Lee – 91.8 mph vs Travis Dowlin (2009 Champions Trophy, South Africa)

Rounding off the list is yet another Brett Lee masterpiece from the 2009 edition. Facing West Indies, Lee delivered a 91.8 mph (147.7 km/h) rocket to dismiss Travis Dowlin.

The delivery was a classic Lee special—quick, skiddy, and aimed right at the stumps. Dowlin, caught in two minds, failed to react in time as the ball crashed into the timber. The dismissal left the batter stunned and reinforced Australia’s fast-bowling supremacy.

Why it was special?

A third entry for Brett Lee, showcasing his absolute dominance in 2009.
A delivery that summed up Australia’s fast-bowling legacy in limited-overs cricket.
One of the most aesthetically pleasing fast-bowling dismissals in Champions Trophy history.

Lee’s relentless pace barrage in 2009 made him the undisputed speed king of the tournament, a feat that still stands unmatched.

Fastest Wicket-Taking Deliveries in Champions Trophy History (Table)

Speed (mph)	Bowler	Batter Dismissed	Champions Trophy Edition
94.1	Brett Lee	Grant Elliott	2009
93.4	Mark Wood	Steve Smith	2025
92.5	Kagiso Rabada	Ibrahim Zadran	2025
92.3	Brett Lee	Owais Shah	2009
91.8	Brett Lee	Travis Dowlin	2009

The Legacy of Lightning-Fast Deliveries in Champions Trophy

The Champions Trophy has been a platform where the fastest bowlers have showcased their raw pace, often turning matches with a single delivery. Whether it was Brett Lee’s dominance in 2009, Mark Wood’s thunderbolts in 2025, or Kagiso Rabada’s express pace, these moments have defined the tournament’s legacy.

With fast bowlers continuing to push the limits of speed and skill, cricket fans can expect even more breathtaking deliveries in future editions. Until then, these five scorching deliveries will remain etched in Champions Trophy history as some of the finest examples of pace bowling at its absolute best.

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