Tim Southee equals MS Dhoni’s tally of sixes in Test cricket

Kiwi skipper Tim Southee has added another feather to his cap during his blitz with the bat in the first innings. The New Zealand skipper has equalled former Indian skipper MS Dhoni’s tally of 78 sixes in Test cricket.

Tim Southee, who is renowned for his exploits with the new ball, never shies away from expressing himself with the bat. The Kiwi bowling all-rounder equalled MS Dhoni’s tally of 78 sixes in the longest format of the game when he walloped Stuart Broad over the midwicket fence for his second six of the match in Wellington.

Southee achieved the feat in just 131 innings, 13 less than the Indian icon and could surpass his tally on the third day of the second Test. With 78 sixes to his name, Southee is just nine maximums behind iconic Kiwi all-rounder Chris Cairns. However, he is a fair distance away from New Zealand’s record holder Brendon McCullum, whose record of 107 sixes was recently eclipsed by England skipper Ben Stokes.

Earlier, the veteran pacer became the leading wicket-taker for New Zealand across all formats of the game, becoming the first Kiwi bowler to register 700 international wickets. The home side have got a mountain to climb after losing seven wickets on the second day before rain interrupted to save their blushes.

Southee is currently unbeaten on 23 off 18 deliveries, keeping company to Tom Blundell at the other end. The hosts need a miraculous effort from their batters in tough batting conditions after the tourists ran amock in the first innings to post a commanding total of 435 runs on the back of marathon tons from Joe Root and Harry Brook.