The test format is the most challenging format for each and every player. The various venues across different countries offer new challenges that test the player's ability to adapt to the conditions. The batters especially in the subcontinent face the challenge of tackling spin. On the other hand, nations like England, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand offer pace, bounce, and swing to the bowlers. The longest format of the game is concluded within five days and demands mental and physical strength from players of both teams. In the past few years, the test cricket has changed drastically. The players and skippers have become more result-oriented these days. In this article, we will tell our readers about the top 10 batters with the most sixes in the longest format of the game.
1. Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes is a left-handed middle-order batter and a right-arm medium bowler for England across formats. He is the leader of his group in the test format and is quite famous for his heroics and way of playing test cricket. Stokes is regarded among the best all-rounders in the world of cricket and is one of the star players in England. He made his test debut against Australia in 2013 and has been a regular inclusion in the side ever since. Although he has not featured in the first two matches of the ongoing ODI WC due to a hip injury, the southpaw is expected to return to the playing XI soon. He has hit 124 sixes in his test career so far.
2. Brendon McCullum
One of the most stylish attacking batters in the history of the sport, Brendon McCullum was a former right-handed opening batter and the captain of New Zealand. He was one of the first batters who started playing test cricket aggressively and gave a whole new aspect to the format. His ability to hit the ball hard while batting as an opener was unmatched. The player made his test debut against South Africa in 2004 and changed the dynamics of batting. The opener across formats was one of the most feared batters. He retired in 2016 from the longest format of the game with 107 sixes to his name.
3. Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist was one of the best aggressive batters in the history of the game. His style of batting was already known to the opposition teams but this would not stop Gilchrist from making an impact in the game. The wicket-keeper and an attacking left-handed middle-order batter made his test debut against Pakistan in 1999. Since his maiden test match, the southpaw left an impact on the game and inspired many young cricketers with his style of playing. Adam was an equally good wicketkeeper who moved quickly behind the wickets as well. The player retired from test cricket in 2008 with 100 sixes to his name.
4. Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle was a former left-handed opening batter for the West Indies. He was among the most attacking batters in the world of cricket. The batter was more famous in the shorter formats of the game due to his ability to hit sixes at will from ball one. While playing test cricket, his approach to dominate the bowlers won’t change either. Gayle also captained his nation in the white-ball formats for a few matches. His ability to hit the ball long and clean was unmatched. Chris Gayle retired from test cricket in 2014 with 98 sixes to his name.
5. Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis was one of the best all-rounders in the game of cricket. His dominance with bat and ball was there across formats. One of the best players to ever play the game of cricket, Kallis was a rare product whose ability in every department was commendable. The right-handed batter and a right-arm medium-fast bowler for South Africa made his test debut against England in 1995 and became an important member of the squad. In his eighteen-year-long test career, the all-rounder scored 13289 runs. He retired in 2013 with 97 test sixes to his name.
6. Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag was a former right-handed opening batter for India. He was among the best-attacking batters in the world. The flamboyant batsman was born in Delhi in Delhi in 1978. His ability to attack the bowlers in the powerplay was unmatched. This was something which made him stand out from the other batters. With not much foot movement, Sehwag was a batter whose bat swing and eye coordination was major factor in his batting. In his twelve-year-long career, the batter scored 8586 test runs and ended his career with 91 sixes in the longest format in 2013.
7. Brian Lara
Brian Lara was undoubtedly among the best batters of his generation. The stylish left-handed top-order batter was born in Trinidad in 1969 and made his test debut against Pakistan in 1990. He was one of the best batters ever produced by the West Indies who dominated the world with the best of his batting abilities. He was also one of the best skippers for the West Indies. Lara retired in 2006 with 88 sixes to his name in test cricket.
8. Christopher Cairns
Christopher Cairns was a former all-rounder for New Zealand. The right-handed batter and a right-arm fast-medium bowler made his test debut against Australia in 1989. He is widely regarded among the best all-rounders in New Zealand. He smashed 87 sixes in his career and retired in 2004 from test cricket.
9. Vivian Richards
One of the most feared batters in the 1980s, Vivian Richards made his test debut for the West Indies in 1974 against India he was one of the most stylish players in his era. The right-handed batter established himself in the world of cricket by scoring quick runs in his career. He ended his career in 1991 with 84 sixes to his name in the longest format.
10. Tim Southee
Tim Southee is a right-arm medium-fast bowler for New Zealand. He made his test debut against England in 2008 after establishing himself in the Under-19 World Cup in the same year. He is one of the main members of the NZ squad across formats. Also, a handy batter down the order, Southee has already smashed 83 sixes in his test career.
