Flashback: Only two men to end their Test careers with a six
The last match of a player’s career is always special and memorable irrespective of the format. At a certain age, when a cricketer feels it’s time, he hangs up his boots to bring an end to his career. The best way to bid adieu to international cricket is by contributing to the team in that particular fixture. Hitting sixes is rare in the Test format compared to the other limited-overs format, but two men retired from Test cricket by smashing a six on the final delivery that they faced.
Let’s see the two players who ended their respective Test careers with a maximum:
1. Wayne Daniel
Former West Indies fast bowler Wayne Daniel was the first to hit a six on the last delivery of his Test career. The instance came while playing against Australia in Port of Spain, Trinidad in 1984. In the second match of the series, the visitors batted first and posted a total of 255 on the board. In reply, the Caribbean side smashed a huge total of 468/8d in their first innings.
Daniel, who batted at no. ten, scored an unbeaten six off four, including a maximum off the last ball he faced. The match ended up in a draw with Daniel retiring from the format. Having made his debut in the longest format against India in 1976, the right-arm fast bowler picked up 36 wickets in ten matches at an average of 25.27 with the best bowling figures of 5/39.
2. Stuart Broad
One of the finest Test bowlers England has ever produced, Stuart Broad is the second and latest entrant in this list. The seamer retired from international cricket recently after playing the fifth and final Ashes Test against arch-rivals Australia at The Oval in London. The home side batted first and got bundled out for 283 in their first innings. In reply, the Aussies managed to reach 295, taking a lead of just 12 runs.
In the second innings, Broad, who batted at no. ten, remained not out on eight off eight, including a six off the last ball he faced against Mitchel Starc. Interestingly, Broad also picked up the final wicket of Australia’s innings as he helped his side in sealing the contest by 49 runs. Having made his debut against Sri Lanka in 2007, Broad snared a staggering 604 scalps and scored 3662 runs in 167 Test matches.
