Test cricket is the toughest form of the game; allowed to go on till 5 days, it tests cricketers in every which way. Patience is one of the primary aspects of succeeding in red-ball cricket, for both a batsman and a bowler.
You don’t see many sixes being hit in Test cricket – for it’s a risky option in a format where batters put the highest premium on their wickets. However, some batters have entertained fans with their daredevilry in hitting maximums, sending a statement of intent to the opposition bowler, forcing the fielding captain to push back the close-in fielders, making space for comfortable singles.
Today, we look at 5 batters with the most number of sixes in Test cricket:
Virender Sehwag-91
Former India opener Virender Sehwag was one of a kind batsman in the previous era in Indian cricket who inspired the current era with his swashbuckling batting. His rapid batting approach helped him to smash two triple centuries, both inside 400 balls.
Sehwag would launch the attack on the bowlers from the onset of the innings, and wouldn’t care about milestones – he was once caught in the deep on the score of 195 against Australia – when he would want to take the bowler on. With 91, Sehwag has hit most sixes by an Indian in Test cricket. For any batsman with more than 4000 Test runs, Sehwag has the highest strike rate of 82.23.
Jacques Kallis-97
Known for his class and elegance, South African legend Jacques Kallis has also hit a record number of Test sixes -97, the most by a Protea batter. Kallis, regarded as arguably the greatest all-rounder in the game, is the third-leading Test run-scorer, having amassed 13298 runs at a terrific average of 55.
Chris Gayle-98
Chris Gayle last played a Test match in 2014, having made his debut in 2000, and has been since a T20 wanderer. While Gayle, revered as the greatest T20 batsman of all time, is known among the fans for his white-ball exploits, his Test numbers are also significant – 7214 runs at 42, and is one of the only 4 batters to have scored two triple centuries.
Gayle, who has the most sixes in T20 cricket, has also walloped 98 maximums in the longest format – easily most by any West Indian.
Adam Gilchrist-100
Dynamic Aussie cricketer Adam Gilchrist was a torchbearer in world cricket for batting wicket-keepers, inspiring the next generation keepers to excel in batting as well. Coming down the order, Gilchrist was a nightmare for bowlers who managed to go past the Australian top-order.
The left-hander smashed 100 sixes in his glorious Test career. His strike rate of 81.95 is second only to Sehwag for any batter with over 4000 Test runs.
Brendon McCullum-107
Known for revolutionizing New Zealand cricket with his adventurous batting approach and free spirit, Brendon McCullum has hit the most number of sixes in Test cricket- 107. McCullum oozed swagger every time he stepped on the field as a fielder or a batsman.
It was fitting that McCullum in his last Test smashed the fastest Test century – off 54 balls against Trans-Tasman rivals Australia in Christchurch.
