Lauren Filer’s hair-raising spell at The Oval – an average of 76 mph, peaking at 79 mph – gave England the edge in Friday’s five-run win over India and, more notably, rewrote the speed records for women’s cricket.
“I sort of touched on 78 every so often over the last year and, for me on Friday, the great thing about it was the fact that it was more consistent,” she said afterwards. “That’s what I’m trying to aim for and hopefully again I can hit that 80 number.”
Key numbers first. Filer’s fourth over, the 16th of India’s chase, was officially the quickest yet documented in the women’s game. The speed gun waited until her follow-through steadied, then flashed up 79 mph twice. Across her four overs she averaged 76 mph. For context, much of the current international field operates in the mid-60s.
The Bristol-born quick believes the magic 80 mph mark is realistic. “Not to sound cocky, but I think I knew that I’d be able to push close to 80,” she admitted. “It’s not necessarily hitting that one ball that’s 80, that’s not going to make the difference. The difference is the consistency of increasing my speed.”
Technical tinkering has helped. Since a knee injury sidelined her for the West Indies series, Filer has lengthened her run-up and tidied her action. “Bowling’s all about feel,” she explained. “It’s not about trying to lug it down as fast as you can because on Friday I didn’t necessarily feel at my quickest, but actually it’s usually then is when you probably are bowling your quickest, it’s all about flow and rhythm.”
A more flowing approach is also meant to limit the trademark tumble at the end of her action – the one that caused raised eyebrows during January’s Ashes tour. “Sometimes I just land and I just get in a position where I end up having to just tuck and roll and I’ve sort of mastered that, which is good because it just hurts less,” she laughed. England’s staff are relaxed provided the dives don’t hinder control or risk injury. “We’re not too concerned as long as I’m staying on my feet the majority of the time.”
Reaching 80 mph would place Filer alongside only one other woman recorded at that pace. South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail hit 132.1 kph (82.08 mph) in the WPL last year and owns the quickest ball in women’s internationals – 128 kph. Filer says the comparison is flattering, though she prefers to focus on gradual improvement rather than chasing numbers.
Her speeds have climbed week on week: 73 mph at Trent Bridge, 75 mph in Bristol, now 76 mph in south London. Whether the upward curve can continue in England’s upcoming white-ball fixtures is the next question; pitches and workload will play their part. Even so, Filer’s current pace is already a strategic weapon, unsettling batters used to gentler mediums and allowing Heather Knight to attack during the middle overs.
Coaches are pragmatic. They want Filer fit, accurate and efficient rather than obsessed with the radar gun. Yet there is an acknowledgment that top-end pace remains rare and valuable in the women’s game. If she can marry 75-plus speeds with swing or seam movement, England suddenly possess a bowler capable of transforming limited-over contests.
Filer herself strikes a balanced note. “It’s not affecting me massively and I can still generally bowl quick with this action. If I can do that, I don’t want to tweak with it too much because it could end up affecting it negatively.”
In other words, don’t expect wholesale mechanical overhauls. Minor adjustments to rhythm and follow-through, yes; wholesale remodelling, no. The focus is matching speed with accuracy, especially at the death where her yorker has become a growing threat.
England’s dressing-room reaction was an uncomplicated mix of delight and curiosity – how much quicker can she go? Privately, analysts will be studying injury risk profiles; public-facing, the message is excitement tempered by sensible caution.
Fans at The Oval left talking about a finish that hinged on a handful of runs and a handful of miles per hour. Filer, meanwhile, carries away both a victory and a tangible target. The 80 mph barrier remains unbroken in women’s internationals, but for the 23-year-old quick it now feels within touching distance – provided the action holds together, the body stays resilient and the rhythm keeps singing.
