Top 10 Batsmen with Most Sixes in Test Cricket

Test cricket is famous for testing the bowlers’ and batters’ skills. Five-day battles are enjoyed even if the batters and bowlers exert their all at the last stages to save a test or gain one. Batting skills are tested when the batters have to face good bowlers during the last session of play. This battle between the ball and the bat has created some legends in the sport globally since its formation in the year 1877.

Over the past 146 years, the game itself has also developed and so many stars have  emerged. Test cricket is traditionally thought of as a game of patience, but during recent times, six-hitting has become a skill set for batsmen in this format as well.

The English way of play ‘Bazball’ is the buzz in cricket’s most traditional format. With so many myths surrounding, let’s take a look at the top 10 most six-hitting batters in the longest version of the game.

1. Ben Stokes (England) – 133 Sixes

English All-rounder Ben Stokes is currently topping the list with 133 test sixes in 198 test innings. Stokes has surpassed current English coach Brendon McCullum.

Stokes has been one of the finest all-rounders of the game and till now he has scored 6719 runs in 110 test matches and taken more than 200 wickets. Stokes has scored 13 test centuries in his career till now.

2. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) – 107 Sixes

Old New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum surpassed Adam Gilchrist to become the top batter with the highest number of sixes in test cricket, but for a couple of years only. McCullum changed gears not once but twice in the latter phase of his career and continued to end up with 107 sixes in test cricket. He ended up making 6453 runs in 101 test matches throughout his career with 12 centuries.

3. Adam Gilchrist (Australia) – 100 Sixes

The ex-Australian wicket-keeper was the first test cricketer to achieve  the unusual  milestone of hitting 100 or more sixes in test cricket. Gilchrist was among the best wicket-keepers of the game, and style of play took him to record figures in his cricket career. Gilchrist hit the record-breaking 100th six against Sri Lanka in Hobart. He amassed 5570 runs in 96 test matches for Australia at number 7.

4. Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 98 Sixes

The Universe Boss Chris Gayle had played 103 test matches in his career and hit 98 sixes. Gayle is one of the most unique of batters to have hit triple centuries in an innings twice in the company of Virender Sehwag, Brian Lara, and Sir Don Bradman. Gayle ended his career two short of 100 test sixes. He played 182 innings and scored 7214 runs with an average of 42.18 and a brilliant strike rate of 60.26. He also registered 15 test centuries during his career.

5. Tim Southee (New Zealand) – 98 Sixes

Tim Southee impressed the Kiwis with his performance in his debut test match. Not just with the ball, but also with the bat Southee delivered some crucial knocks. On his debut Southee took a five-for in the first innings and went on to blast 77 from 40 balls in the fourth innings including nine sixes against England in 2008.

6. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 97 Sixes

Hitting a six was not very common for Jacques Kallis while batting in test cricket. Jacques Kallis, former South African all-rounder, ended his test cricket career with three shy of  achieving a rare feat in test cricket. Kallis hit 97 sixes in his 166-match long test career. The all-time great all-rounder used to predominantly believe in hitting through ground shots. He hit 13289 runs in his career at a strike rate of 55.37. Kallis hit 45 centuries.

7. Virender Sehwag (India) – 91 Sixes

The ex-Indian opener is among the greatest batters to have played the game. Virender Sehwag special ability of scoring runs without employing sufficient feet garnered him huge acclaim globally. He was famous for delivering fast opening stands to grab the game. Sehwag ranks seventh in this table with 91 sixes in 180 test innings. He is also one of the least common of the list of scoring two triple tons twice along with Bradman, Lara, and Gayle.

8. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 88 Sixes

Past West Indies captain Brain Lara completed his career on a par with Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting. Left-hand batting kingpin Brian Charles Lara dominated  international cricket. Lara played 131 tests during his career and hit 88 sixes in 232 innings.

He had scored 11953 runs with an average of 52.88 and a strike rate of 60.51 against  great bowlers like Glenn McGrath, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Anil Kumble, Muttiah Muralitharan and many others.

9. Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) – 88 Sixes

Experienced Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews is Sri Lanka’s record holder for six-hitting in test cricket with 88 sixes in 116 tests. During a career that lasted over 15 years, he made over 8,000 runs at an average of 44, with 16 centuries and 44 fifties.

10. Rohit Sharma (India) – 88 Sixes

Rohit Sharma with 88 sixes is India’s second-highest test cricket six-hitter. Sharma is also the record holder of most sixes in T20I cricket (205 sixes), second most in ODIs (331) and most in international cricket (623).

Rohit appeared in his first test in 2013 and played primarily as a middle-order  batsman until his elevation to an opener’s role in 2019. He has strengthened his red-ball game since then and became the test captain.

Also Read:

• List of ICC Champions Trophy Winners (1998-2025)
• List of Top 10 Players with Most Hundreds in ODI Cricket
• List of Top 10 Players with Most Hundreds in Test

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