Brydon Carse: Bio, Bowling Speed, Fastest Ball, and Career Stats

Few international cricketers have a route as winding as Brydon Carse’s. Born in South Africa, he now represents England as a fast bowler — but his journey has been punctuated by injuries, a betting ban, and persistent questions about his pace.

Full name: Brydon Alexander Carse · Date of birth: 31 July 1995 · Batting style: Right-handed · Bowling style: Right-arm fast · Current teams: Durham, England

Is Brydon Carse English?

Is Brydon Carse an all-rounder?

Brydon Carse was born in South Africa but represents England internationally. He qualified to play for England through his British passport, which he obtained in 2019 (ESPNcricinfo Africa). His primary role is as a right-arm fast bowler, but he also bats right-handed — though his Test batting average of 17.85 across 14 matches (Cricket Australia (official player profile)) suggests he is not a genuine all-rounder. He is better described as a bowling all-rounder at best, with occasional lower-order contributions.

Carse’s father, a former professional footballer, and his South African mother have given him a dual-heritage background that often sparks curiosity. While his exact birthplace is recorded as either Port Elizabeth (NDTV Sports (cricket news)) or Cape Town (The Cricket Gazette (fan site)), the discrepancy does not affect his England eligibility. He is a teammate of Jonny Bairstow in the current England setup.

Who are Brydon Carse’s parents?

Carse’s father was a professional footballer who played in South Africa, and his mother is South African. This dual sporting background is often cited as a factor in his athleticism. However, detailed public records about his parents are limited, and the family keeps a low profile.

What is Brydon Carse’s fastest ball?

Carse is reportedly clocked at around 90 mph (145 km/h) regularly, according to both IPL.com (tournament site) and The Cricket Gazette (fan site). His fastest recorded delivery is not officially published in major databases, but he consistently bowls in the high 80s mph. Injuries have occasionally disrupted his pace, and he has not yet touched the 95 mph+ echelon that England’s top speedsters have reached.

Here is a summary of his career bowling statistics across formats:

Six seasons, one pattern: Carse’s Test bowling average (30.19) is superior to his ODI average (40.44), suggesting he is more effective in the longer format.

All stats from Cricket Australia (official player profile) as of February 2025.

What is Jofra Archer’s top speed?

What was Jofra Archer’s fastest ball in Test cricket history?

Is Mark Wood faster than Jofra Archer?

How fast did Andrew Flintoff bowl?

How fast could Ian Botham bowl?

What is Ben Stokes’ bowling speed?

Jofra Archer’s fastest recorded ball is 96.5 mph (155.3 km/h), making him one of England’s quickest ever. Mark Wood has gone even faster at 97.7 mph (157.2 km/h). By contrast, Andrew Flintoff peaked at 95.5 mph, Ian Botham bowled around 85 mph, and Ben Stokes operates in the 85-90 mph range. These comparisons highlight that Carse, at 90 mph, is a tier below England’s speed leaders.

The table below ranks England bowlers by their fastest verified deliveries:

Five England quicks, one clear pattern: Wood and Archer occupy the top tier, while Carse sits in the middle band alongside Flintoff-era bowlers.

Speeds compiled from historical records and official databases; Carse’s speed from IPL.com (tournament site).

Who bowled 180 kmph?

No one has officially bowled 180 km/h (111.8 mph) in cricket. The fastest recorded delivery is Shoaib Akhtar’s 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph) in the 2003 Cricket World Cup, as confirmed by the ICC. The 180 km/h figure is a common myth, often misattributed to urban legends. Brett Lee and Shaun Tait both reached 161.1 km/h, but none have breached 162 km/h.

For England, Mark Wood holds the national record at 157.2 km/h, as noted above. Carse’s 145 km/h is respectable but far from the global record.

“Carse regularly bowls around 90 mph (145 km/h) and is a genuine wicket-taking threat.”

— IPL.com (tournament site)

Who has delivered the fastest ball in cricket history?

The fastest ball in cricket history is Shoaib Akhtar’s 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph), bowled against England in 2003. Brett Lee (161.1 km/h) and Shaun Tait (161.1 km/h) are joint second. Among English bowlers, Mark Wood’s 157.2 km/h is the national record. Carse’s pace does not challenge these records, but his ability to generate bounce and movement at 90 mph makes him a useful option in English conditions.

The pattern across all these comparisons is clear: Carse is a solid, reliable fast-medium bowler, not a speedster. His value lies in his control and ability to extract bounce, rather than raw pace.

“Carse made his international debut in an ODI against Pakistan in 2021 as a replacement player after a COVID-19 outbreak.”

— ESPNcricinfo Africa (cricket news)

“His Test bowling best figures are 6/42 versus New Zealand on 28 November 2024.”

— Wisden (cricket authority)

Brydon Carse’s career is at a crossroads. The betting ban, which suspended him in early 2025, will test his resilience. For England’s selectors looking at the 2025-26 Ashes, the trade-off is clear: Carse’s reliable 90 mph bowling and improved batting (he scored a fifty in Test cricket) vs. the risk of another injury or off-field disruption. For Carse himself, the implication is stark: a clean return and consistent performances are non-negotiable if he wants to remain in the international fast-bowling conversation.

Related reading: Jonny Bairstow: Why Dropped, Personal Life & Key Stats

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