Top 10 longest sixes in International Cricket
Over the years, we have seen attacking cricket come to the fore, with scores of over 300 becoming increasingly common. As a result, we have also seen a lot more sixes being hit since the turn of the century.
Shahid Afridi holds the record for longest six in International cricket lasting as long as 158 meters against South Africa, 3rd ODI at Johannesburg on March 17, 2013. We look back at some iconic long sixes that have wowed the fans over the years.
10. Ijaz Ahmed
Ijaz Ahmed is a retired Pakistani cricketer who played as a right-handed batsman. A lot of people deem him one of the most underrated cricketers, as he’s never bracketed with some of the greats of the game.
However, he certainly deserves his place on this list. You will have to cast your mind back several years to think of this one. In 1999, Pakistan were playing India in a tense chase at Mohali. Only two sixes were hit in the entire match, and both of them were by Ahmed, including this massive 115-metre hit off the bowling of Virender Sehwag.
9. Daniel Christian
Australian all-rounder Daniel Christian has played 19 ODIs and 16 T20Is, and has earned himself a reputation for big, lusty blows.
Playing for the Hobart Hurricanes, Christian hit this absolute monster of a six against Brisbane Heat. It sailed out of the park and travelled a monstrous 117 metres. His reaction suggested that Christian was pretty surprised at the result of the ball himself.
8. Corey Anderson
Apart from a 36-ball century against West Indies, New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson is known for his huge sixes. During India's 2014 tour of New Zealand, he hit a ball onto the roof of McLean Park in Napier. He powered New Zealand to 292 with four sixes, two of which were out of the ground, in what was the first ODI against India.
7. Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle is a Jamaican cricketer who captained the West Indies’ Test side from 2007 until 2010. He also briefly held the record for the highest score in a World Cup, with 215 runs.
Gayle hit the biggest six of the entire World Twenty20 tournament in 2010 at Bridgetown. On May 9th, Gayle hit a stunning maximum of the bowling of Yusuf Pathan. He was the standout performer of the match, as he tore the Indian bowlers apart.
6. Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi's brute strength was made for the kind of batting that he has grown to be associated with. Known for his aggressive batting style, Afridi once held the record for the fastest ODI century in 37 deliveries.
On January 30th, 2005 he hit the ball into the stands of Perth during Pakistan’s pursuit of the 266 that was set by Australia. It was impressive to say the least.
5. MS Dhoni
On March 8th in 2009, then-Indian captain hit another of his trademark huge sixes. It was during the third ODI of India's tour of New Zealand that the Indian skipper hit the breathtaking six.
MS Dhoni did not even look at the ball once he hit it and that undoubtedly added to the drama and made his six look even more spectacular. India won the match and the series after having won the Test series earlier.
4. Mark Waugh
Mark Waugh, now a retired Australian cricketer, is widely regarded as one of the most gifted stroke masters ever to play the game. He took cricket fans’ breath away when he deposited a Daniel Vettori delivery in the stands on November 21st, 1997 during the 2nd Test match of New Zealand’s tour to Australia.
3. Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh was one of the architects behind India’s victorious T20 and 50 overs World Cup campaigns in 2007 and 2011 respectively. Many cricket fans admire Singh’s style of play, and they certainly admired the six he hit on 22nd September 2007 during the World Twenty20 against Australia.
The former India all-rounder had an incredible game, scoring 70 off a mere 30 balls. Nonetheless, the highlight of his match was undoubtedly the 120-metre six he hit off Brett Lee.
2. Shahid Afridi
With the record for most sixes in his kitty, it is no surprise to see Shahid Afridi on this list. In addition to the fastest ODI century, Afridi also holds the record for longest six, with this 158-metre monster of a hit.
During this innings in South Africa, the Pakistani all-rounder hit one out of the park and into the neighbouring golf course. A six and a hole in one, if there ever was one.
1. Albert Trott
At the number one spot we have Albert Trott, who was a Test cricketer for both England and Australia. Instead of awarding the number one spot to the longest six, we decided to go for a six that holds an iconic place in history.
This was when Albert cleared the Lord’s Pavilion. In 1899, Trott completely cleared the iconic building, and he is believed to be the only batsman to have ever done so. Considering the fact that many years have passed since, this is certainly a remarkable achievement, and well worthy of taking the title of the best six ever.