Monster hits – Five longest sixes in international cricket
The six-hitting in International cricket seems to have improved as the frequency of sixes has seen a rise irrespective of the format. The change was an indication to the modernization of the sport with the advent of T20 format. However, nowadays, big hits are quite rare as the players are settling down with 90-meter hits due to reduction in boundary lengths.
Here are the top five longest sixes in International cricket where data was available.
Mark Waugh – 120 meters:
Mark Waugh showed an example of clearing the long boundaries in the Australian venues during a home series in 1997. Facing New Zealand at Perth’s WACA ground, the junior Waugh smashed a six coming down the track. Daniel Vettori was the unfortunate bowler who had to see his delivery travel as long as 120 meters.
Corey Anderson – 122 meters:
Corey Anderson, fresh of a record-breaking hundred in 2014, faced a listless Indian bowling unit at home. During a match played at the McLean Park in Napier, Anderson smashed the Indian pacer Mohammed Shami with a slog towards on-side. The ball ended up reaching the tall roof of the venue and the distance of the hit was measured to be 122 meters.
Martin Guptill – 127 meters:
Martin Guptill was one of the few players who were successful in clearing the roof of the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. During a T20I against South Africa in 2012, Guptill took on Lonwabo Tsotsobe whose half-volley ended up over the roof in the mid-wicket region. This six was known to have travelled a distance of 127 meters. Only two balls before the mighty hit, Guptill struck a huge six off Tsotsobe which was recorded to be 102 meters also towards mid-wicket region.
Brett Lee – 130+ meters:
Brett Lee nearly recorded the longest six in International cricket when he took on West Indies at home in 2005. Lee dispatched a length ball from Daren Powell well over the mid-wicket region during the game played at the Gabba. The ball eventually reached the adjacent practice nets and the distance between the two points was believed to be over 130 meters.
Jacob Oram – 130+ meters:
Jacob Oram is believed to have hit the longest six in International cricket when Australia came to New Zealand in 2005. During the final game of the 3-match ODI series, Oram took on Mitchell Johnson and smashed him for a huge six around the cow-corner region. The ball ended up climbing over the roof of Lancaster Park as a result the endpoint became tough to be known. However, the distance from the batting crease to the rooftop was no less than 130 meters.
