Batsmen with Most Sixes in a Test Career

We’ve often witnessed big shots in the limited-overs cricket, but in the same breath Test cricket is no exception.  However, the professional didn’t bag enough in terms of batsmen with most sixes in a Test career.

The flamboyant batters have had relied on the aggressive brand of cricket which eventually proved beneficial in the traditional format over the years. Interestingly, the list is dominated by big-hitters of the cricketing ball. Furthermore, they excelled while donning whites for their respective teams.

Here’s the list of minimum ten batsmen to record most sixes in Test career:

1.Brendon McCullum 107 sixes in 101 Test:

While representing New Zealand National Cricket Team between 2004 and 2016 ace batsman Brendon McCullum has not only infused new life in the Test fold but brought stability in the lower middle-order. McCullum rules the list of batsmen with most sixes in a Test career.

The swashbuckling batsman from Kiwis shores represented his national team in 101 Tests to score 6453 runs at a decent batting average of 38.64. He smashed record 107 in the extended format in 176 innings.

Also, McCullum went on to record 12 hundreds and 31 fifties. Apart from his highest Test score of 302, McCullum remained unbeaten on nine occasions. The right-handed batsman McCullum also bagged nine ducks under his belt in the Test career.

2. Adam Gilchrist 100 sixes in 96 Tests:

A southpaw from Australia National Cricket Team Adam Gilchrist was known for his pyrotechnics with the bat. Gilchrist usually batted in the lower middle-order to set-up the tempo for Australia.

While having the quality experience of facing the new ball in the limited-overs cricket, Gilchrist further presented himself equally good in the red-ball cricket.

The wicketkeeper-batsman represented Australia in 96 Tests between 1999 and 2008. He amassed 5570 runs at the average of 47.60. He further registered exactly hundred maximums to make it to the record books with ease.

Moreover, Gilchrist registered 17 tons and 26 fifties in 137 Test innings. He is second on the list of batsmen with most sixes in a Test career.

3. Chris Gayle 98 sixes in 103 Tests:

Over the years, Chris Gayle has been on a mission across formats to make his bat talk. However, hitting big-shots is embedded into his DNA, and he did a remarkable job for the Windies in limited-overs cricket.

However, during his initial days, many though Gayle is a misfit for an extended format. But Gayle had his plans to prove them wrong with his sheer hard work and ability to rotate the strike.

Between 2000 and 2014, Gayle played 103 Tests for the Caribbean team which saw him amass 7214 runs at the average of 42.18. He further attributed it with 15 hundred and 37 fifties to become overall third batsmen with most sixes in a Test career.

The south has 1046 fours and 98 sixes under his belt in 182 innings.

4. Jacques Kallis 97 sixes in 166 Tests:

South African National Cricket Team rock star across formats has been Jacques Kallis, he is overall fourth batsmen with most sixes in a Test career. The veteran all-rounder Kallis might have had retired from the international fold, but his worth ethics and scoring spree has set an example for the young crop of all-rounders.

Kallis had cherished his 18-year-long Test career. He played 166 Tests to amass 13289 runs at the impressive average of 55.37. He further racked up 45 hundred and 58 fifties during his successful Test career.

Also, Kallis smashed 1488 fours and 97 sixes in 280 innings before bowing out form donning the whites in 2013.

5. Virender Sehwag 91 sixes in 104 Tests:

Ruthless top-order batsman Virender Sehwag smashed overall 91 sixes in 104 Tests. While representing Indian National Cricket Team between 2001 and 2013, the right-handed stalwart registered 8586 runs in 180 innings at the average of 49.39.

Known as Nawab of Najafgarh and the ‘Sultan of Multan’ Sehwag further smashed 23 tons and 32 half-centuries during his Test career.

Moreover, known for going downtown, Sehwag further recorded 1233 boundaries and 91 maximums. He is only among Indian batsmen with most sixes in a Test career.

The Delhi-based star batsman remained not out on six occasions in the Test fold. He also bagged 17 noughts to his name while donning the whites for Team India.

6. Brian Lara 88 sixes in 131 Tests:

Windies prominent figure across formats has been Brian Charles Lara. He is also the highest run scorer in the Test fold. He smashed unbeaten 400 against England way back in 2004 after Australia’s Mathew Hayden (380) surpassed his record score of 375.

Lara who also spectacularly led Windies further amassed 11953 runs at the average of 52.88 in 131 Tests. Interestingly, Lara recorded 1559 fours and 88 sixes under his belt in 323 innings.

Before bidding adieu to the Test circuit in 2006, Lara recorded 34 tons and 48 fifties to his name.

7. Chris Cairns 87 sixes in 62 Tests:

Known for hard-hitting prowess New Zealand’s Chris Cairns had played a pivotal role for the Black Caps alongside his teammate Jacob Oram. During his Test career, Cairns further reaped the rewards with the ball. He had played some blazing knocks in the Test fold as well. Cairns is second Kiwis batsmen with most sixes in a Test career.

The Picton-born right-handed batsman Cairns smashed five hundred and 22 fifties in 62 Tests. He overall amassed 3320 runs off 5815 deliveries at the average of 33.53.

Moreover, Cairns recorded 365 fours and 87 sixes in 104 innings. He also bagged 218 Test scalps at the average of 29.40.

8. Sir Vivian Richards 84 sixes in 121 Tests:

Windies Sir Vivian Richards who often opted to score runs at a pace further delivered big in the Test set-up. The veteran leader and top-notch batsman Richards represented the Caribbean national team in 121 Tests. Vivian Richards is among a few Windies batsmen with most sixes in a Test career.

The Antigua-based right-handed batting giant amassed 8540 runs at the average of 50.23. He further smashed 84 sixes in 182 innings.

Known for scoring a bulk of runs for his side, Richards registered 11 hundreds and 45 fifties to his name between 1974 and 1991.

Interestingly, the middle-order batsman remained unbeaten on 12 occasions during his Test career.

9. Andrew Flintoff 82 sixes in 79 Tests:

Premium all-rounder of his time for England National Cricket Team played an imperative role for the Three Lions across formats. The Lancashire-based batting all-rounder Flintoff represented England in 79 Test to score 3845 runs at the average of 31.77.

The right-handed batsman Flintoff further claimed five tons and 26 fifties in 130 innings. He also smashed 82 sixes in his entire Test career.

Also, apart from having his highest Test score of 167, Flintoff smashed 513 boundaries between 1998 and 2009. Eventually, he remained not out on nine occasions in the Test circuit.

 10. Matthew Hayden 82 sixes in 103 Tests:

Owing to his terrific batting display, Matthew Hayden was among the most loved Test cricketer of his time. The Queenslander played a vital role for Australian National Cricket Team at the top. While opening the innings, Hayden backed himself for his natural game. Overall, he maintained a tenth place on the coveted list of batsmen with most sixes in a Test career

Known as Haydos among the cricketing circles, Hayden averages 50.73 in the Test fold. He featured in 103 Tests to amass 8625 runs.

Moreover, having all shots in his book, Hayden smashed 30 tons and 29 fifties. He had also claimed 128 catches which further saw him recording 1049 fours and 82 sixes in 184 Test innings.

Table for batsmen with most sixes in a Test career:

Serial No.	Player	Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	100	50	6s
1	BB McCullum (NZ)	101	176	6453	38.64	12	31	107
2	AC Gilchrist (AUS)	96	137	5570	47.6	17	26	100
3	CH Gayle (WI)	103	182	7214	42.18	15	37	98
4	JH Kallis (ICC/SA)	166	280	13289	55.37	45	58	97
5	V Sehwag (ICC/INDIA)	104	180	8586	49.34	23	32	91
6	BC Lara (ICC/WI)	131	232	11953	52.88	34	48	88
7	CL Cairns (NZ)	62	104	3320	33.53	5	22	87
8	IVA Richards (WI)	121	182	8540	50.23	24	45	84
9	A Flintoff (ENG/ICC)	79	130	3845	31.77	5	26	82
10	ML Hayden (AUS)	103	184	8625	50.73	30	29	82
11	Misbah-ul-Haq (PAK)	75	132	5222	46.62	10	39	81
12	KP Pietersen (ENG)	104	181	8181	47.28	23	35	81
13	MS Dhoni (INDIA)	90	144	4876	38.09	6	33	78
14	RT Ponting (AUS)	168	287	13378	51.85	41	62	73
15	CH Lloyd (WI)	110	175	7515	46.67	19	39	70
16	Younis Khan (PAK)	118	213	10099	52.05	34	33	70
17	SR Tendulkar (INDIA)	200	329	15921	53.78	51	68	69
18	TG Southee (NZ)	63	95	1550	18.02	0	5	68
19	IT Botham (ENG)	102	161	5200	33.54	14	22	67
20	CG Greenidge (WI)	108	185	7558	44.72	19	34	67
21	AB de Villiers (SA)	114	191	8765	50.66	22	46	64
22	CL Hooper (WI)	102	173	5762	36.46	13	27	63
23	N Kapil Dev (INDIA)	131	184	5248	31.05	8	27	61
24	DPMD Jayawardene (SL)	149	252	11814	49.84	34	50	61
25	ST Jayasuriya (SL)	110	188	6973	40.07	14	31	59
26	Wasim Akram (PAK)	104	147	2898	22.64	3	7	57
27	SC Ganguly (INDIA)	113	188	7212	42.17	16	35	57
28	Imran Khan (PAK)	88	126	3807	37.69	6	18	55
29	DA Warner (AUS)	74	137	6363	48.2	21	29	55
30	AD Mathews (SL)	80	144	5554	44.79	9	33	55
31	CD McMillan (NZ)	55	91	3116	38.46	6	19	54
32	BJ Haddin (AUS)	66	112	3266	32.98	4	18	54
33	Shahid Afridi (PAK)	27	48	1716	36.51	5	8	52
34	Mohammad Yousuf (PAK)	90	156	7530	52.29	24	33	51
35	KC Sangakkara (SL)	134	233	12400	57.4	38	52	51
36	PA de Silva (SL)	93	159	6361	42.97	20	22	48
37	Javed Miandad (PAK)	124	189	8832	52.57	23	43	48
38	Inzamam-ul-Haq (ICC/PAK)	120	200	8830	49.6	25	46	48
39	HH Gibbs (SA)	90	154	6167	41.95	14	26	47
40	BA Stokes (ENG)	49	89	2966	33.7	6	16	46
41	LRPL Taylor (NZ)	90	161	6523	45.93	17	30	45
42	ME Trescothick (ENG)	76	143	5825	43.79	14	29	42
43	Harbhajan Singh (INDIA)	103	145	2224	18.22	2	9	42
44	ME Waugh (AUS)	128	209	8029	41.81	20	47	41
45	RA Jadeja (INDIA)	41*	60	1485	32.28	1	10	40
46	A Ranatunga (SL)	93	155	5105	35.69	4	38	40
47	JL Langer (AUS)	105	182	7696	45.27	23	30	40
48	DM Bravo (WI)	49	89	3400	40	8	16	39
49	NJ Astle (NZ)	81	137	4702	37.02	11	24	39
50	MEK Hussey (AUS)	79	137	6235	51.52	19	29	39
51	MJ Clarke (AUS)	115	198	8643	49.1	28	27	39
52	IR Bell (ENG)	118	205	7727	42.69	22	46	39
53	NS Sidhu (INDIA)	51	78	3202	42.13	9	15	38
54	SCJ Broad (ENG)	124	180	3064	19.39	1	12	37
55	SK Warne (AUS)	145	199	3154	17.32	0	12	37
56	MA Holding (WI)	60	76	910	13.78	0	6	36
57	MA Starc (AUS)	49*	76	1322	20.98	0	9	36
58	SPD Smith (AUS)	64	117	6199	61.37	23	24	36
59	S Chanderpaul (WI)	164	280	11867	51.37	30	66	36
60	DW Steyn (SA)	90*	112	1217	13.82	0	2	35
61	SM Pollock (SA)	108	156	3781	32.31	2	16	35
62	Mohammad Rafique (BDESH)	33	63	1059	18.57	1	4	34
63	DJG Sammy (WI)	38	63	1323	21.68	1	5	34
64	M Vijay (INDIA)	61	105	3982	38.28	12	15	33
65	JR Reid (NZ)	58	108	3428	33.28	6	22	33
66	Tamim Iqbal (BDESH)	56	108	4049	37.84	8	25	33
67	WJ Cronje (SA)	68	111	3714	36.41	6	23	33
68	Sir RJ Hadlee (NZ)	86	134	3124	27.16	2	15	33
69	RG Sharma (INDIA)	27	47	1585	39.62	3	10	32
70	MN Samuels (WI)	71	127	3917	32.64	7	24	32
71	GS Sobers (WI)	93	160	8032	57.78	26	30	32+
72	MG Johnson (AUS)	73	109	2065	22.2	1	11	31
73	SR Watson (AUS)	59	109	3731	35.19	4	24	31
74	Mushfiqur Rahim (BDESH)	66	123	4006	35.14	6	19	30
75	MJ Slater (AUS)	74	131	5312	42.83	14	21	30

*The stats for batsmen with most sixes in a Test career were updated on January 4, 2019.