Most Sixes in Test International Cricket —when someone says “cricket sixes,” your brain probably jumps straight to T20 matches. I get it. That format is built for power hitting. But here’s something that might surprise you: Test cricket has had its fair share of big hitters too. And I’m not talking about one or two lucky shots. I’m talking about players who regularly sent the red ball flying into the stands like it was nothing.
Test cricket might be slower and longer, but some players just don’t care. If the ball’s there to be hit, they go for it. And when they connect? It’s magical. Let’s talk about the top 10 batters who’ve smashed the most sixes in Test cricket history
Why Test Sixes Actually Feel Better
There’s something about hitting sixes in a Test match that just feels different. It’s not like T20s where sixes happen every few balls. In Tests, they’re rarer, and that makes them more exciting.
You wait, you watch the tension build, and then boom—someone sends the ball into the stands. It breaks the pattern. It lifts the crowd. It flips the mood. And honestly, that moment is what cricket is all about.
Rank | Player | Country | Sixes |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Ben Stokes | England | 130+ |
2 | Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 107 |
3 | Adam Gilchrist | Australia | 100 |
4 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 98 |
5 | Tim Southee | New Zealand | 98 |
6 | Jacques Kalli | South Africa | 97 |
7 | Virender Sehwag | India | 91 |
8 | Brian Lara | West Indies | 88 |
9 | Kevin Pietersen | England | 81 |
10 | MS Dhoni | India | 78 |
1. Ben Stokes (England) – 130+ Six
Ben Stokes holds the top spot. And honestly, it makes sense. The guy plays fearless cricket. He doesn’t care if it’s Day 1 or Day 5—if he sees the ball in his zone, he’s going for it.
Stokes plays like he’s got something to prove every time. His energy is wild. He’s the kind of player who can completely change a Test match in one session, and a lot of that comes from his ability to clear the ropes with ease.
2. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) – 107 Six
Before he started coaching England into their Bazball era, Brendon McCullum was already the ultimate definition of “go big or go home.” He wasn’t one to block and wait around. He’d go down the pitch and try to launch the ball out of the ground.
He hit over 100 sixes in Test cricket, and most of them were from sheer confidence and attitude. Watching McCullum bat was like watching a rock concert. Loud. Wild. Unforgettable.
3. Adam Gilchrist (Australia) – 100 Six
Adam Gilchrist was ahead of his time. A wicketkeeper who could bat like a top-order destroyer? Yeah, that was rare. He came in at number 7 and played like an opener in a T20 match.
He had this crazy ability to time the ball perfectly, and when he went for sixes, they looked effortless. He didn’t just attack weak bowlers. He went after the best, and he usually came out on top.
4. Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 98 Six
You probably know Chris Gayle from T20 leagues, but he was just as dangerous in Tests too. When he decided to go big, it didn’t matter what the format was. He hit 98 sixes in his Test career, and each one looked like it belonged in a highlights reel.
What made Gayle so unique was how calm he looked even when destroying bowlers. He didn’t rush. He didn’t panic. He just stood tall and hit it miles.
5. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 98 Six
Now here is a name you don’t always associate with sixes, but Jacques Kallis hit 98 of them in Tests. That’s no joke. He was mainly known for his technique and patience, but when he wanted to accelerate, he could absolutely do it.
What made Kallis special was that he didn’t look like a typical power hitter. He just used timing and clean shots to send the ball over the boundary.
6. Virender Sehwag (India) – 97 Six
Sehwag didn’t believe in waiting around. Even in Test cricket, he batted like he was chasing a target in 10 overs. Opening the batting in Tests isn’t easy, but Sehwag made it look like a street game.
He hit 97 sixes in his career, and most of them came from pure hand-eye coordination. He didn’t overthink. He just played what he saw. And it worked.
7. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 91 Six
Brian Lara was a magician with the bat. He could build a long innings, sure, but he also had the power and style to go big when needed. His sixes weren’t wild swings. They were pure elegance.
He ended his Test career with 91 sixes, and most of them were just beautiful to watch. Not many players can say they hit sixes with grace, but Lara definitely could.
8. Kevin Pietersen (England) – 88 Six
Kevin Pietersen was unpredictable. You never quite knew what he was going to do next. But one thing you could count on? If he was in the mood, sixes were coming.
He loved playing aggressive cricket, even in the longer format. With 88 sixes in Tests, he proved that being stylish and aggressive can work together.
9. Tim Southee (New Zealand) – 81 Six
this one might surprise you. Tim Southee is a fast bowler. Yep, you read that right. A bowler on a list of most sixes in Tests. But Southee loves swinging the bat down the order.
He is not trying to be technical or defensive. He’s just looking to hit. And he does it pretty well, with over 80 sixes to his name. Definitely one of the more fun players to watch when the tail is wagging.
10. MS Dhoni (India) – 78 Six
MS Dhoni wasn’t just a limited-overs legend. He brought that same cool-headed aggression into Test cricket too. Even though he played fewer Tests than some others, he still managed to hit 78 sixes.
He picked his moments carefully, and when he went for it, he rarely missed. Watching Dhoni hit a six in a Test match felt extra special because it usually meant he’d just decided to take control of the game.
Also read: Top 10 You Don’t Know Who Is the Dangerous Batsman in IPL History
Conclusion
Test cricket in not boring. Not when players like Stokes, Sehwag, or McCullum are at the crease. These guys proved that even in the slowest format, you can play bold, attacking cricket and hit sixes that stay in people’s memories. If you’re new to Test cricket or never really gave it a chance, just watch some of these legends in action. One six, and you’ll get it.