Test cricket has never been about brute force – but every once in a while, a batter comes along and challenges the concept. Over the years, a few players have transformed the way the longest format is played and it has proved that even in whites, the big hits are no less intriguing than in T20s. The new numbers reveal an interesting assortment of superstars, power-hitters, and even a tail-ender who does not want to bat like one.
Here’s a closer look at the five men who have cleared the ropes more than anyone else in Test history.
Ben Stokes — 136 Sixes
England’s captain has established his reputation for drama, courage and sheer power. With 136 Test sixes, Ben Stokes isn’t just topping the chart – he’s rewriting it. From Headingley 2019 to endless pressure situations, Stokes has been the man who has made impossible moments into unforgettable ones. His shifting gears makes him one of the most dangerous middle-order batters of his time.
Brendon McCullum — 107 Sixes
Before he was the mind behind “Bazball,” Brendon McCullum was already tearing up the Test rulebook. His 107 sixes are indicative of a career developed with aggression and intent. Whether it was the fearless pull shots or the historic 54-ball century that he scored against Australia, McCullum played Test cricket the way most people would dare to dream at the time.
Adam Gilchrist — 100 Sixes
Few wicketkeepers have played the game like Adam Gilchrist did. Walking in at No. 7, Gilchrist often made match-winning innings in a matter of minutes. His 100 sixes tell only half the story – it was the timing, ease and audacity with which he played that made him a once-in-a-generation player.
Chris Gayle — 98 Sixes
Chris Gayle is normally linked with T20 fireworks, but his Test numbers aren’t very far behind. With 98 sixes, the West Indian opener is in the ranks of the most destructive Test batters of all time. His two triple hundreds didn’t come from blocking – they came from trusting his power and believing in himself to get out of the ropes. Gayle proved that Test cricket could be patient and explosive.
Tim Southee — 98 Sixes
This is the most surprising name on the list, but maybe the most entertaining. New Zealand pacer Tim Southee, whose forte is swing bowling, has quietly smashed 98 sixes – even as many as Chris Gayle. For a lower order batter, that’s extraordinary. Southee doesn’t nudge and poke, he swings hard and changes the momentum of an innings quite often with a few clean hits.