5 Current fast bowlers who can be the next pace sensation of this era

After the serious shoulder injury to South African fast-bowling legend Dale Steyn in the recent Test series between South Africa and Australia, it seems highly unlikely that the speedster would be able to make a return to international cricket or bowl again with the same fire. It was a severe blow not just to South Africa, but to world cricket at large as Steyn was perhaps the last of the great fast bowlers from the previous era.

With Steyn slowly fading away, the fast bowling coffers of world cricket suddenly seems very brittle. However, among the new generation, there are quite a few pacers who have it in them to take the baton from Steyn and be the next big fast bowlers of this era. Let’s take a look at five such prospects.

1. Mitchell Starc (Australia):

Left-arm fast bowlers are beautiful to watch. And this particular one can be absolutely devastating and relentless on his day. Mitchell Starc rose to prominence in the 2015 World Cup where was named Player of the Tournament for his 22 wickets at an incredible average of 10.18. His stunning 6/28 versus New Zealand where he almost single-handedly won the game for his team was the highlight of the tournament.

Starc can move the ball in to the batsman at searing pace and also get it away. He is easily one of the most difficult fast bowlers to face at present and if he can stay away from injuries, has the ability to be one of the best ever. 

2. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa):

At just 21 years of age, this strapping youngster is becoming the new prospective leader of his team’s pace attack. Bowling regularly in the 140-150 km/h range, Rabada had broken through during the 2014 U-19 World Cup and ever since has not looked back. In his debut ODI match itself, Rabada took a hat-trick – only the second player to do so on debut – and returned with astounding figures of 6/16.

In Test matches, too, Rabada has shown immense potential and even on docile pitches has bowled his heart out. His figures of 13 for 144 against England in the 4th Test at Centurion this year made him the youngest South African to take 10 wickets in a match. Rabada has a great height, is very young and fit, bowls with heart, generates immense pace and moves the ball both ways: all the ingredients of a great fast bowler for the future.

3. Trent Boult (New Zealand):

Touted as the next big fast bowler for New Zealand after Sir Richard Hadlee, Trent Boult surely has made a tremendous difference to the New Zealand side. The left-arm quick has that rare ability to move the ball both ways even on flat wickets. Bowling regularly in the range of mid-140s, Boult, with his impressive swing and seam, helped his team reach the finals of the 2015 World Cup with 22 wickets in the tournament – the joint-leading wicket taker in the championship.

His performance in Test cricket has been nothing short of remarkable: he reached 100 Test wickets in only his 29th match. With a lovely wrist position and splendid control, Trent Boult is surely the one fast bowler to watch out for in the years to come.

4. Mohammed Shami (India):

Though injuries have often hampered his progress, Mohammad Shami surely does hold the ability to be one of the finest fast bowlers of this era. He has very good pace, is extremely accurate and his best ability is the fact that he can move both the old and new ball with equal skill and effectiveness. Shami was at his peak in the 2015 World Cup where he picked up 17 wickets at an impressive average of 17.29.

He is also a very smart Test bowler – he picked up nine wickets on his Test debut against the West Indies in November 2013 – and uses his bouncers and yorkers very well. Also of note is his ability to reverse swing the ball which can trouble even the best batsmen. With proper fitness and a little more perseverance, Shami surely has it in him to go the distance.

5. Mohammad Amir (Pakistan):

The tainted but very, very talent left-arm fast bowler from Pakistan has made a remarkable comeback to international cricket this year. Before his career was abruptly cut short due to the spot-fixing scam in 2010, Mohammad Amir was one of the most exciting young fast bowlers of that time. He was 17 then and was banned for five years. Many thought that his career was over, but Amir has finally returned to cricket after serving his ban with a bang.

He made his mark in the Asia Cup T20 this year where he bowled with venom and fire and moved the ball in the air beautifully. Since then, he has been steadily paving his way back in the other formats as well and it almost feels like he never left. With an ability of bowling well above 145 clicks regularly and move the ball prodigiously, the 24-year-old Amir has marvelous skills along with age, and a lot of passion, fire and hunger on his side, and it would be surprising if he doesn’t make it in the big league in the years to come; especially since he has a lot to prove to the world.