A speed gun glitch was responsible for Wiese’s delivery reading 173.8 kph
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
South Africa all-rounder David Wiese made headlines with one ball bowled during a domestic game in his country of birth.
Playing for Titans in a CSA T20 Challenge match against Knights on Friday, Wiese’s last delivery of the fourth over was clocked at 173.8 kph, which gave him the record of bowling the fastest ball in the history of the sport.
However, according to reports, a technical issue with the speed gun was the reason why Wiese’s delivery had shown such pace. Upon hearing this, the 31-year-old saw the funny side and even took to Twitter to joke about the incident.
So does this officially make me a fast bowler! Must be all those long hours in the gym! #hardworkpaysoff #surebud #speedgunisajoke pic.twitter.com/45YyR5DEW4
— David Wiese (@David_Wiese) 19 November 2016
As a result, legendary Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar still holds the record for the fastest ball ever bowled at 161.3 kph.
This is not the first time a speed gun has malfunctioned as earlier this year, one of South Africa seamer Morne Morkel’s deliveries was clocked at 173.9 kph.