Cricket is a game where batsmen try to hit the ball as far as possible when going on the attack. While most sixes clear the boundary by some distance, some towering hits have stood out for going unbelievable distances. Today, we will examine some of the longest recorded sixes in cricket history and the players who smashed them.
10. Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 116 meters
The self-proclaimed ‘Universe Boss’, Chris Gayle struck probably the most sixes in international cricket. In an ODI against Sri Lanka, Gayle got into his elements by clearing pacer Nuwan Kulasekara back over his head by an incredible 116 meters. With effortless strength and timing, Gayle made mammoth hitting look routine. The six underlined his status as the most feared batsman in limited overs cricket.
9. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 118 meters against Andrew Symonds
Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi was arguably the biggest hitter of the cricket ball ever. In an ODI against Australia, Afridi got into his element by launching a 118 meter six off Andrew Symonds. Lifting Symonds way into the stands, Afridi made the mammoth hit look effortless. The six highlighted Afridi’s reputation as the most destructive batsman in the world at his peak.
8. MS Dhoni (India) – 118 meters
Mr. Cool MS Dhoni was equally destructive with the bat despite his unorthodox helicoptor technique. In an ODI against Sri Lanka, Dhoni got into destruction mode by launching a 118 meter six off left-arm spinner Suraj Randiv. Lifting Randiv way back into the stands showed Dhoni’s brute strength and ability to clear boundaries with ease. The six underlined his big-hitting prowess.
7. Yuvraj Singh (India) – 119 meters
One of the biggest hitters of the cricket ball, Yuvraj Singh could clear any ground with his monster hits. During an ODI against England in Cuttack in 2007, Yuvraj got into the act by launching Andrew Flintoff over long-on for a 119 meter six. With effortless power and timing, Yuvraj made crushing the ball look routine. The six highlighted his reputation as a clean striker of the ball capable of clearing any boundary.
6. Mark Waugh (Australia) – 120 meters
Legendary Australian batsman Mark Waugh was known for his effortless stroke-play and ability to hit big sixes. During a ODI against West Indies in 1991, Waugh got into the act by clearing the ropes off Ian Bishop. The ball traveled an estimated 120 meters before landing. Waugh made the mammoth hit look easy with his trademark casual style, underlining his status as a clean striker of the cricket ball.
5. Corey Anderson (New Zealand) – 122 meters
At his peak in ODI cricket, New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson was among the most destructive batsmen going around. In 2014 against India, Anderson got into the act by launching a 122 meter six off Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja. Lifting Jadeja over long-on, the ball disappeared into the stands. Anderson’s monstrous hitting ability made him one of the first names on the Kiwi team sheet at the time.
4. Liam Livingstone (England) – 122 meters against Pakistan in 2021
During England’s tour of Pakistan in 2021, batsman Liam Livingstone was in the form of his life. In a T20I match, he decided to target Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi’s full toss outside off stump. Lifting through the line, Livingstone deposited the ball way into the stands for a measured 122 meter six. The mammoth hit highlighted his credentials as a clean striker of the ball capable of clearing any ground.
3. Martin Guptill (New Zealand) – 127 meters against South Africa in 2012
In a ODI against South Africa in 2012, Kiwi opener Martin Guptill was going through a purple patch with the bat. One Morne Morkel delivery that was just a tad too full brought out Guptill’s biggest hit. Lifting Morkel over long-on, the ball traveled an incredible 127 meters before landing many rows back in the stands. Guptill’s monstrous six underlined his reputation as one of the game’s most powerful strikers of the ball.
2. Brett Lee (Australia) – 130 to 135 meters
During the 2005 Ashes series, Australian fast bowler Brett Lee came out to bat in a tense run-chase. Facing England pacer Andrew Flintoff, Lee stepped out and launched a ferocious straight hit that sailed deep into the stands at the Oval in London. Estimates put the distance of this six between 130-135 meters, making it one of the longest hits in cricket history. Lee’s monster strike helped Australia pull off an unlikely win.
1. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 153 meters
The record for the longest six in international cricket belongs to none other than Shahid Afridi. In a ODI against South Africa in 2013, Afridi got into destruction mode by launching a monstrous 153 meter six off fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe. The ball cleared the stadium and landed outside. Afridi’s superhuman hitting ability was on full display, reminding the cricketing world why he was considered the biggest hitter the game has seen.
These 10 sixes show the immense power and talent of the world’s biggest hitters. While most sixes clear the ropes by some distance, these stands out for going unbelievable distances and highlighting the brute strength and skills of some of cricket’s most destructive batsmen.
