Most Sixes in Test Cricket – Test cricket is often regarded as a game of patience. The format that lasts up to five days requires the players to carefully execute every strategy followed by patient implementation. However, there have been many batsmen who have often believed in taking the aerial route more than the grounded one and managed to post records for hitting sixes in a format like test cricket. Let us have a look at the top batsmen to hit the greatest number of sixes in test cricket.
Top 10 Batsmen with Most Sixes in Test Cricket History
Player | Mat | Inns | Runs | Ave | 4s | 6s |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BA Stokes (ENG) | 105 | 190 | 6508 | 35.75 | 758 | 131 |
BB McCullum (NZ) | 101 | 176 | 6453 | 38.64 | 776 | 107 |
AC Gilchrist (AUS) | 96 | 137 | 5570 | 47.60 | 677 | 100 |
CH Gayle (WI) | 103 | 182 | 7214 | 42.18 | 1046 | 98 |
JH Kallis (ICC/SA) | 166 | 280 | 13289 | 55.37 | 1488 | 97 |
V Sehwag (ICC/IND) | 104 | 180 | 8586 | 49.34 | 1233 | 91 |
TG Southee (NZ) | 102 | 147 | 2115 | 15.55 | 205 | 89 |
BC Lara (ICC/WI) | 131 | 232 | 11953 | 52.88 | 1559 | 88 |
CL Cairns (NZ) | 62 | 104 | 3320 | 33.53 | 365 | 87 |
RG Sharma (IND) | 61 | 105 | 4179 | 43.98 | 456 | 87 |
Relatable: Most Sixes in ODI Cricket History
1. Ben Stokes
English all-rounder Ben Stokes has been one of the finest players for his country not just in tests but also in the other formats of the game. Stokes is widely regarded for his breath-taking stroke play and ability to shift gears at any given point in the game. The left-hander holds the record for hitting the greatest number of sixes in the longest formats of the game. Stokes has played 97 matches out of which he has scored 6117 runs at an average of 36.41 and has hit 124 sixes overall so far.
2. Brendon McCullum
Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has been widely recognized for creating his own brand of aggressive batting in test cricket. The right-hander has the record for hitting the fastest century in test cricket as well. Not to anyone’s surprise McCullum also has the record for hitting the second-greatest number of sixes in test cricket. McCullum scored a total of 6453 matches from 101 matches in his career at an average of 38.64, having hit 107 sixes overall.
Learn more: Longest Six in Cricket History
3. Adam Gilchrist
Former Australian wicket-keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist was one of the rescuers for the country, especially in test cricket. Widely making a mark for his aggressive style of batting, Gilchrist often believed in taking the aerial route even when others felt scared to do so. His adventurous and bold style of batting would often sweep Australia away from tricky situations. Gilchrist, in his total showings of 96 matches scored 5570 runs at an average of 47.6 with 100 sixes notched on the board.
4. Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle is yet another player who made his mark for power-hitting in the longest format of the game. The left-hander, who was one of the most destructive batsmen in the limited-over formats could barely keep himself away from subsuming his approach from test cricket. Gayle played 103 test matches in which he scored 7214 runs at an average of 42.18. The West Indian has the fourth-highest record of hitting the most sixes in test cricket (98).
5. Jacques Kallis
Former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis was one of the finest and consistent players in all formats of the game. The right-hander did not shy away from power-hitting whenever it was needed the most. Kallis is the fifth cricketer from a different country to have the record for hitting the greatest number of sixes in test cricket. Kallis has played a total of 166 matches where he has scored 13289 runs which also makes him the third-highest player to score the most runs in test cricket. Kallis hit a total of 97 sixes in test cricket.
6. Virendra Sehwag
Former Indian batsman Virendra Sehwag was one of the lionhearted players from India in all formats of the game. The right-hander would greatly benefit from pressure situations in scoring big. Sehwag did not take too long to settle into the crease before bashing the bowlers into submission. In tests, the Indian has scored 8586 runs from 104 matches at an average of 49.34 and holds the record for being the sixth-highest cricketer in the world to hit the most sixes i.e. 91.
7. Brian Lara
Known as one of the legends of test cricket, former West Indies cricketer Brian Charles Lara had the most enticing style of playing. The left-hander holds the record for hitting the highest-ever individual score by a batsman in test cricket. Lara played 131 matches out of which he scored 11953 runs at an astonishing average of 52.88 and hit 88 sixes in his entire career.
8. Chris Cairns
Former New Zealand player and captain Chris Cairns was one of the finest test all-rounders for his country. Cairns was also counted amongst the cricketers who took to swing the bat more extensively in test cricket. The right-hander hit 3320 runs from 62 matches at an average of 33.53 with 87 sixes in test cricket.
Know about: Most Sixes in International Cricket
9. Vivan Richards
West Indian cricketer Vivan Richards is widely regarded as the greatest of all time in cricketing history. His courageous style of play entertained several spectators across the globe. Richards had a legendary career in all formats he played.
Playing a total of 121 matches, Richards scored an impressive 8540 runs at an average of 50.23 in test cricket with 84 hits in his tally of sixes.
10. Tim Southee
Though it might seem very unusual for the Kiwi pacer Tim Southee to feature in the list, Southee has reserved every right to be there. Southee does not have impressive batting stats due to the fact he is not a full-time batsman. However, the right-hander does manage to feature in the top 10 players to hit the most sixes in test cricket. Southee played a total of 94 matches out of which he scored 1976 runs yet has been able to park 83 sixes into the orbit in his test career.
FAQs About Most Sixes in Test
Who has hit the most sixes in test cricket?
Ben Stokes has hit the most sixes in test cricket.
Who has hit the most sixes in test cricket for India?
Virendra Sehwag has hit the most sixes in test cricket for India.