Game

Players Who Hit the Longest Six in Cricket History

Not many things are as absorbing in the sport of cricket than a mighty six flying over the boundary line to become part of cricket folklore. The raw power and the placement of these mighty blows can make bowlers flummoxed and leave audiences gasping at how far these balls go. Here are few who have etched their names in the annals of cricket history over the illustrious history of the sport, by hitting the longest six in cricket history. This article explores the six-hitting warriors whose freak power has revolutionised the game.

  1. Shahid Afridi: The Ultimate Six-Hitter

One of the most dangerous six hitters in the history of cricket is the Pakistani player Shahid Afridi. Such exquisite high-elbow, split-finger leg-spin wrist and digit/hand-coordination shots for sixes ever. Among the longest sixes to be hit, one of the many from his collection came during an ODI series between South Africa and India in 2013 when he launched one 158 metres away. But not Afridi, who pulled off one of the most iconic moments in cricket history, in the biggest of slams – without anywhere near the same level of strain.

  1. Ben Stokes: The English Powerhouse

Why just about every cricket player on the planet should wish they could bat as well as Ben Stokes has been revealed by the England all-rounder. While 466 feet is not an official record in plant or animal seed-dispersal distance, the distance does represent a noteworthy distance for a six; when Ben Stokes hit a 142-metres six during a County Championship game in 2010, the crowd was astonished. 

  1. Corey Anderson: The Kiwi Titan

A powerful hitter who can dispatch the ball easily out of the park on his day, Corey Anderson has made a name for himself as an all-rounder for New Zealand. During a homegrown T20 match in 2014, Anderson hit a monster of a significant length that made a trip a mind blowing 124 metres, withdrawing the cricketing network staggered. He quickly emerged as arguably the best finisher in the sport due to a blend of athleticism and brute force as well as his incredible power and timing, a combination that has seen him in demand by franchises in T20 leagues across the globe.

  1. Chris Gayle: The Universal Boss

Any list of six-hitting monsters has to include the slugging Jamaican batter, who has etched his nickname “Universal Boss” to the degree in his title that you barely even have to mention his real name anymore. Universally loved for his power, Gayle’s free hitting transfer to the skill has left followers spellbound. That Gayle six reached 119 metres in a once-in-a-lifetime act of supreme power and authority over his opponents during the 2011 World Cup game against India.

  1. Liam Livingstone: The Rising Star

During a County Championship match, Livingstone hit a colossal 122 metres six which took everyone by surprise. He cut an imposing figure on the cricket pitch with his no-holds-barred demeanour, immense might and perfect timing.

Conclusion

With their amazing career maximums, these five monster six-hitters have changed cricket history and created a lasting mark on the sport. They have not only entertained the audience with their amazing, seemingly impossible strikes, but they have also pushed the boundaries of what was thought to be achievable.