Massive blockbusters have a way of exciting fans and becoming the talk of the town for years. Interestingly, some former cricketers and pundits advocate for giving extra credit to such colossal hits. However, technology’s precision and reliability, constantly under review when measuring these distances, have not supported these arguments.
Despite the debates, reminiscing about the game’s most memorable moments, particularly the longest sixes ever hit in international cricket, is always a source of enjoyment for cricket enthusiasts. Let’s take a closer look at these awe-inspiring feats that have left a lasting impact on the sport.
1. Shahid Afridi || 153 meters vs. South Africa
Shahid Afridi is widely recognized as one of cricket’s most dangerous players, renowned for his aggressive hitting and leg-spin bowling. He held the global record for the fastest ODI century, achieved in just 37 deliveries, until Corey Anderson surpassed it after 17 years.
Consistently appearing at the top of cricketing records, Afridi holds the distinction of hitting the longest six in international cricket. His remarkable six off Ryan McLaren remains a topic of extensive discussion in cricket history due to the impressive distance it covered. Afridi’s prowess as an all-rounder and his memorable sixes have left an indelible mark in the sport.
2. Brett Lee || 130 meters vs. England
Brett Lee, a crucial member of the Australian squad that clinched the 2003 World Cup, made his Test debut in 1999 and bid farewell to international cricket on July 12, 2012. With an impressive record of 310 wickets in Test matches and 380 wickets in One Day Internationals, he is considered one of the finest bowlers of his era.
Throughout the period from 2000 to 2009, Lee ranked second only to Muttiah Muralitharan in terms of ODI wickets. Among the many memorable entries in the list of longest sixes, Brett Lee’s remarkable strike against West Indies stands out. Despite contributing 47 runs for the home team at the Gabba, it is this particular six that remains etched in cricketing memory.
3. Martin Guptill || 127 meters vs South Africa
Martin Guptill, the first New Zealand cricketer and the sixth overall, achieved a remarkable double century in a One Day International match. His unbeaten score of 237 holds the record for the highest individual score in Cricket World Cup matches and the second-best score in One Day Internationals. Notably, Guptill’s left foot has only two toes, as he lost three toes in a forklift accident at the age of 13. Within the New Zealand cricket team, he is affectionately known as “Two Toes.”
Given his incredible power-hitting abilities, it comes as no surprise that Martin Guptill is a prominent name on this list. He has entertained cricket fans with his outstanding performances on multiple occasions. One of his most memorable moments was during a T20I match against South Africa in 2012 when he delivered a sensational six against Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
4. Liam Livingstone || 122 meters vs. Pakistan
Liam Livingstone gained public attention on April 19, 2015, with an impressive score of 350 off 138 balls for his club team Nantwich, marking one of the highest individual scores in one-day cricket history. He made his first-class debut for Lancashire in the opening game of the 2016 season and received his county cap on April 24, 2017, after leading Lancashire to their first victory of the 2017 season as a stand-in captain.
Regarded as one of England’s most talented shorter-format cricketers, Liam Livingstone has consistently showcased his exceptional abilities. In a memorable moment during the second T20I against Pakistan at Headingley, he smashed a massive 122m six off Haris Rauf, sending the ball soaring out of the stadium.
5. Corey Anderson || 122 meters vs. India
Corey Anderson made his debut for New Zealand in a T20 international against South Africa on December 21, 2012, after being selected in the T20I and ODI squads for the 2012-13 tour of South Africa. He continued to impress and made his ODI debut against England in Cardiff on June 16, 2013, after being included in New Zealand’s ODI squad for the Champions Trophy.
In 2014, Corey Anderson showcased his incredible talent and left a lasting impact on cricket fans worldwide. He briefly held the record for the fastest ODI century during that time. One of the most unforgettable moments came during the first ODI against India in 2014 when he smashed one of the highest sixes in cricket history.
6. Mark Waugh || 120 meters vs. New Zealand
Mark Waugh, another talented cricketer from the Waugh family, played first-class and List A cricket for New South Wales. He is known as Junior as he is a few minutes younger than his twin brother Steve, who has often overshadowed him. Despite being underappreciated in the great Australian team, Mark Waugh had his share of memorable moments. One such moment was during New Zealand’s 1997 tour of Australia when he faced Daniel Vettori, confidently strode down the track, and smashed the ball 120 meters down the ground at the WACA. Waugh’s elegant strokeplay has drawn comparisons to legendary players like Stan McCabe, Alan Kippax, Victor Trumper, Charlie Macartney, and Greg Chappell.
7. Yuvraj Singh || 119 meters vs. Australia
Yuvraj Singh, a cricket legend, received the prestigious Arjuna Award from the Indian government in 2012. He etched his name in history during the 2011 World Cup by achieving the rare feat of taking a 5-wicket haul and scoring 50 runs in the same match. With 15 wickets and 362 runs in the tournament, he was rightfully awarded the man of the tournament. Known for his brilliant strokeplay, Yuvraj holds the record for the longest six ever struck by an Indian batsman in an ICC T20 World Cup match. It was against Australia in 2007, where he effortlessly flicked a delivery from Brett Lee over square leg for a colossal 119-meter six.
8. Mahendra Singh Dhoni || 118 meters vs. New Zealand
On August 15, 2020, Dhoni bid farewell to international cricket in all formats. During his illustrious career, he led the team to victory in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. Under his captaincy, India also won the Asia Cup in 2010 and 2016. He retired from Test cricket on December 30, 2014, and stepped down as T20I and ODI captain in 2017. Known for his exceptional finishing skills, Dhoni holds the record for the second-highest number of sixes among Indian batsmen in ODI cricket. In the third ODI of India’s 2009 tour of New Zealand, he displayed his power-hitting prowess with a mammoth 118-meter six in the 44th over.
9. Chris Gayle || 116 meters vs. India
Chris Gayle is undeniably one of the greatest Twenty20 cricket batsmen in history, with some considering him the very best. He played a crucial role in West Indies’ triumphs in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2004, the ICC World Twenty20 in 2012, and the ICC World Twenty20 in 2016. His career is filled with numerous records across all formats of the game. Known for his sheer power, Chris Gayle is one of the most fearsome batsmen in cricket history. The former West Indies captain holds the world record for the most sixes hit and is renowned for producing some of the longest sixes in the game. In an ICC T20 World Cup group stage match against India, he smashed a colossal 116-meter six off Yusuf Pathan.
10. Ijaz Ahmed || 115 meters vs. India
During the match, he showcased his prowess by hitting a massive 115-meter six off Virender Sehwag, sending the ball soaring across one of India’s largest stadiums. Pakistan’s dominance throughout the game created havoc for the Indian bowlers, resulting in a memorable victory that was crucial for Pakistan’s Pepsi Cup aspirations.
