In today’s cricketing era, most of the pitches are becoming batting-friendly pitches. Batsmen have an advantage over bowlers. Now, batting has become more manageable, and bowlers struggle to take wickets. However, even in today’s time, there are some pitches that are known for their true bounce and raw pace, which is the dream venue for every bowler to bowl. So, here are the ten fastest pitches in cricket history.
1. WACA Ground, Perth
The complete form of this stadium is the Western Australian Cricket Association, which was established on 25 November 1885 under the Presidency of JCH James. This stadium has a seating capacity of 65,000 spectators. Perth Stadium is famously known for its bounces and pace. Fast-bowlers get the most advantage in this stadium. Many great centuries have come at this stadium, like Sachin’s 114 and Kohli’s 123 runs. Australian Bowling Legend Glenn McGrath is the leading wicket-taker with 52 wickets in 12 test matches.
2. Newlands, Cape Town
There is no doubt that South Africa is heaven for fast bowlers. If any country has conditions for the batsman, it will be South Africa. This stadium was established in 1888. Newlands Cricket Stadium is famous for its speed, which benefits fast bowlers. In 2011, Sachin Tendulkar played a significant knock of 146 in this stadium. Legendary fast bowler Dale Steyn has the highest wicket in this stadium. He has taken 74 wickets in 15 test matches.
3. Sabina Park, Kingston
This stadium is situated in the hot and dry area of Jamaica. It can be termed as one of the hottest pitches as well. Historically, this pitch has been an excellent fast-bowling track. Mostly, fast bowlers get help from this pitch. KL Rahul played a significant knock of 158 on this pitch. This pitch is heaven for fast bowlers, and they enjoy bowling in this stadium. Courtney Walsh has the highest wickets (48) in 11 test matches.
4. Headingley, Leeds
This stadium has witnessed some of the most thriller test matches. Whether in a 2005 thriller match or 2019 Stokes’s Wonder, this stadium has something different. Headingley Stadium is known for its Swing, Seam, and fast movement. There are some iconic innings played in this stadium, like Joe Root’s 121 runs and Rahul Dravid’s memorable inning of 148 runs. In bowling records, Stuart Broad has taken the most wickets, 74 in 12 test matches.
5. Eden Park, Auckland
This stadium is situated in New Zealand. Eden Park Stadium was established in 1900; now, this stadium has a sitting capacity of 50,000. This stadium is small in size, but the pitch of this stadium offers bounce and swing to fast bowlers. It is the same stadium in which Javed Miandad scored 271 runs and Kane Williamson played a remarkable knock of 113 runs. As this stadium favours fast bowlers, New Zealand’s Sir Richard Hadlee has taken the highest wickets (45) in 13 matches.
6. The Wanderers, Johannesburg
Another South African cricket stadium, Johannesburg, is known for its pace and bouncy pitch. In this stadium, fast bowlers dominate batters. It is one of the rare pitches that provides true bounce and pace to bowlers on the 5th day of the test as well. In this stadium, South African Legend Jacques Kallis played a crucial inning of 186, and Adam Gilchrist also played an epic inning of 204 runs. Former South African bowler Buster Nupen has the most wickets (31) in this stadium.
7. Gabba, Brisbane
It was a historic ground for Australia. The Australian team remained unbeaten in this stadium for 32 years. In 2021, this streak was broken by India, as India won the match by three wickets. This ground is in Brisbane, and the pitch always favours fast bowlers. This pitch has significantly fewer cracks, so there is always competition between bat and ball. Michael Clarke’s legendary knock of 259 has also come at this stadium. In Gabba Stadium, Glenn McGrath is the leading pacer with 65 wickets in 13 test matches.
8. Kingsmead, Durban
South Africa is a dream venue for every fast bowler. Every South African pitch provides pace, bounce, and swing to fast bowlers. Apart from swing. This pitch offers help to seam bowlers as well. Kingsmead Stadium is known for its fast-pacing tracks. There are plenty of fantastic knocks played in this stadium. Gary Kristen played the innings of 275 runs, and Jacques Kallis also played an exceptional innings of 177 runs. At this venue, Dale Steyn is a leading wicket-taker, taking 50 wickets in just 10 test matches.
9. Oval, Adelaide
After South Africa, if any country has the fastest pitches, then it is Australia. This stadium is situated in South Australia. The shape of this stadium is like an egg. That’s why this stadium is known as “Oval Stadium”. It is a pitch that offers true bounce early and late movements to the pacers. It is a genuine fast-bowling pitch. Many great bowling performances have come on this ground, like David Warner’s 335 and Ponting’s 242 runs. In test matches, Glenn McGrath is a leading wicket-taker (46) in this stadium.
10. Basin Reserve, Wellington
Wellington is home to one of the fastest pitches in today’s cricket world. The number of wickets fast bowlers take on this pitch is very high. Basic Reserve is a green pitch covered with some grass. This is a pitch that provides raw bounce and pace to bowlers. It is the same ground in which Brendon McCullum scored 302 runs and Martin Crowe played an exceptional innings of 299 runs. In test cricket, Chris Martin has taken the wickets (60) in this stadium.
