When Lauren Bell took the ball for England women's cricket team on September 10, 2025, the speedometer glitch at Lord’s Cricket Ground inexplicably logged her delivery at 173 kph (107 mph) to Indian opener Smriti Mandhana. The reading, if legit, would have eclipsed every recorded pace in the sport, male or female. The misfire unfolded in the first T20I of the bilateral England‑India Women’s T20 InternationalLord’s Cricket Ground, London, pitting England women's cricket team against India women's cricket team. While the numbers proved faulty, Bell’s debut still helped England post a nine‑wicket victory.
What Happened: The Speedometer Glitch Unpacked
Bell’s first over was a roller‑coaster. The speedometer showed 173 kph on her second ball, then dipped to an absurd 101 mph on the fourth delivery – a ball Mandhana dispatched for a six. The fifth ball again tipped the meter over 107 mph. By the end of the over, broadcasters were scrambling to explain the anomaly, and the match officials consulted ground staff about the radar gun's calibration.
Cricket’s governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), later released a brief statement confirming a technical malfunction in the radar equipment used at Lord’s that day. The device, supplied by a third‑party sports‑tech firm, had suffered a brief power surge, causing spike readings that did not reflect the ball’s true velocity.
Technical Background: How Speed Is Measured in Cricket
Radar guns, also called speedometers, emit microwave signals that bounce off a moving cricket ball. By calculating the Doppler shift, the system estimates speed in kilometres per hour. Modern setups use dual‑antenna arrays to minimise error, but they remain vulnerable to electronic interference, extreme weather, or human error during calibration.
- Typical fast‑bowling speeds in women’s cricket range between 110–120 kph.
- Male fast bowlers regularly breach the 145 kph barrier; the world record sits at 161.3 kph (Shane Bennett, 1993).
- The ICC mandates speed‑monitoring equipment be tested before each international match.
- In 2022 a similar glitch occurred during a men’s ODI in Dubai, prompting a temporary suspension of the offending device.
Experts say that a brief power fluctuation can cause the radar to register the ball’s speed at a moment when it’s still accelerating out of the bowler’s hand, spiking the reading dramatically.
Lauren Bell’s Journey to the England T20I Squad
Bell’s selection for the series was the culmination of a tumultuous few years. After debuting in Test cricket in 2022, she suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined her for much of the 2023 season. That setback prompted a radical remodel of her action: she shifted from a side‑on approach to a more upright, “high‑arm” delivery, allowing her to swing the ball both ways and generate extra momentum.
Her revamped technique paid off during the 2024 domestic season, where she topped the wicket‑taking charts for the Southern Vipers, averaging 8.5 kph more than her pre‑remodel pace. England head coach Jon Lewis praised her resilience, saying, “Lauren’s determination to reinvent herself after injury is what makes her a future star for England.”
Reactions from Players, Experts and Fans
Social media erupted as soon as the first 173 kph reading hit the screen. Cricket fans posted memes of Bell’s arm turning into a blur, while former England bowler Stuart Broad tweeted, “If that’s real, I’m booking a seat at the next match!”
However, analysts were quicker to temper the hype. Former ICC speed-gauge technician Anita Shah wrote for "Cricket Insight", “Radar glitches are rare but not unheard of. The pattern of multiple absurd readings in a single over strongly points to equipment failure, not a new world‑record pace.”
Mandhana, ever the sportsperson, laughed it off in a post‑match interview: “It was a fun moment, but I know my six comes from timing, not fear of a supersonic ball.”
Impact on Women’s Cricket and Future Series
Beyond the headline‑grabbing numbers, the episode undersc ored how women’s cricket is now scrutinised with the same data‑driven lens once reserved for the men’s game. Broadcasters routinely display ball‑by‑ball speed, spin‑rate, and even bowler’s run‑up length. This level of analytics elevates the sport’s professionalism but also raises the stakes when technology stumbles.
The series continues with a second T20I in Bristol on September 13, where India will look to bounce back. England’s momentum, buoyed by Bell’s debut (she claimed 2 for 19), could prove decisive, while the ICC promises a thorough audit of the Lord’s radar system before the next match.
Key Facts
- Event: England‑India Women’s T20 International, 1st match, 10 Sep 2025, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London.
- Bell’s erroneous speed readings: 173 kph (2nd ball), 101 mph (4th ball), 107 mph (5th ball).
- Actual performance: 2 wickets, 19 runs conceded in 4 overs.
- Result: England won by nine wickets.
- Next match: 13 Sep 2025, Bristol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the speedometer show impossible numbers?
A brief power surge in the radar gun’s electronics caused it to miscalculate the Doppler shift, producing spikes far beyond any realistic cricket delivery. The ICC confirmed the glitch and replaced the device before the next game.
What is the fastest recorded delivery in women’s cricket?
The recognised record is 129.7 kph (80.6 mph) set by Pakistan’s Sana Mir in 2018. Bell’s genuine speed in the match was estimated around 115 kph, well within elite women’s standards.
How did the glitch affect the outcome of the game?
It didn’t change the match result. England still chased down the target with nine wickets in hand. The incident merely added a side‑story that captured global attention.
What does this incident mean for the future of technology in women’s cricket?
It highlights the growing reliance on high‑tech tools for performance analysis and broadcast. Governing bodies are likely to implement stricter equipment testing protocols to avoid similar embarrassments.
When and where is the next match in the series?
The second T20I is scheduled for September 13, 2025, at the County Ground in Bristol, giving India a chance to level the three‑match series.