Most Sixes in Test Cricket: Who Holds the Record for Most Sixes?

Hitting a six in Test cricket isn’t easy. The field is spread out, bowlers are patient, and the conditions are often tricky. But there are players who defy the norms, who swing for the ropes no matter what day or session it is.

While Test cricket is known for patience and technique, there’s always been a thrill in watching someone clear the boundary in style. If you’ve ever wondered who’s smashed the most sixes in Test cricket, this blog has the full answer — backed with real stats, player records, and the biggest names who’ve changed how we view red-ball power hitting.

Who Has Hit the Most Sixes in Test Cricket?

As of July 2025, Ben Stokes of England holds the record for the most sixes in Test cricket history. The English all-rounder has smashed 133 sixes in just 114 matches, overtaking former leaders like Brendon McCullum and Adam Gilchrist.

Here’s a look at the top 10 players with the highest number of sixes in Test cricket:

Rank	Player	Country	Matches	Runs	Sixes	Career Span
1	Ben Stokes	England	114*	6891	133	2013–2025
2	Brendon McCullum	NZ	101	6453	107	2004–2016
3	Adam Gilchrist	Australia	96	5570	100	1999–2008
4	Tim Southee	NZ	107	2245	98	2008–2024
5	Chris Gayle	WI	103	7214	98	2000–2014
6	Jacques Kallis	SA	166	13289	97	1995–2013
7	Virender Sehwag	India	104	8586	91	2001–2013
8	Angelo Mathews	SL	119	8214	90	2009–2025
9	Rishabh Pant	India	46*	3364	88	2018–2025
10	Rohit Sharma	India	67	4301	88	2013–2024

*Data as of July 2025
Players with an asterisk () are still active

Ben Stokes’ style of aggressive batting has changed how modern Test cricket is played. His six-hitting ability comes not only from power but also smart shot selection under pressure.

What Makes Ben Stokes Stand Out?

Ben Stokes is the only active player with over 100 sixes in Test cricket, and he does it when it matters most. Known for hitting sixes under pressure, Stokes has consistently turned games around in key moments—like his iconic 2019 Ashes innings at Headingley.

What makes him stand out?

• Hits sixes in high-pressure situations
  
• Fearless against both pace and spin
  
• Known for attacking with the tail
  
• High strike rate of 59.16 in Tests
  
• Master of timing and power, especially down the ground

Ben Stokes isn’t just a power hitter; he’s a game-changer when the stakes are highest.

Other Notable Six-Hitters in Tests

Let’s look at a few more names just outside the top 10 who were also great six-hitters:

• Brian Lara (88 sixes) – Famous for his 400*, Lara cleared boundaries with flair.
  
• Andrew Flintoff (82 sixes) – Known for his powerful strokeplay and match-turning knocks.
  
• Matthew Hayden (82 sixes) – A bully against spinners, especially on subcontinental tracks.
  
• Misbah-ul-Haq (81 sixes) – Calm batter, but wasn’t afraid to launch one when needed.

Some batters like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Steve Smith may not top the six charts, but they offer a mix of timing and placement. Six-hitting is a skill, but it doesn’t always equal success in red-ball cricket.

Top 50 Players with the Most Sixes in Test Cricket

Here’s the extended list of the top 50 players with the most sixes in Test cricket, based on the latest stats up to July 2025:

Rank	Player	Country	Matches	Runs	Sixes	Career Span
1	Ben Stokes	England	110	6,719	133	2013–2025
2	Brendon McCullum	New Zealand	101	6,453	107	2004–2016
3	Adam Gilchrist	Australia	96	5,570	100	1999–2008
4	Tim Southee	New Zealand	107	2,245	98	2008–2024
5	Chris Gayle	West Indies	103	7,214	98	2000–2014
6	Jacques Kallis	South Africa	166	13,289	97	1995–2013
7	Virender Sehwag	India	104	8,586	91	2001–2013
8	Angelo Mathews	Sri Lanka	118	8,214	89*	2009–2025
9	Rohit Sharma	India	67	4,301	88	2013–2024
10	Brian Lara	West Indies	131	11,953	88	1990–2006
11	Chris Cairns	New Zealand	62	3,320	87	1989–2004
12	Viv Richards	West Indies	121	8,540	84	1974–1991
13	Andrew Flintoff	England	79	3,845	82	1998–2009
14	Matthew Hayden	Australia	103	8,625	82	1994–2009
15	Misbah-ul-Haq	Pakistan	75	5,222	81	2001–2017
16	Kevin Pietersen	England	104	8,181	81	2005–2014
17	MS Dhoni	India	90	4,876	78	2005–2014
18	Rishabh Pant	India	43	~2,948	73	2018–2025
19	Ravindra Jadeja	India	80	~3,370	69	2012–2025
20	Ricky Ponting	Australia	168	13,378	73	1995–2012
21	Clive Lloyd	West Indies	110	7,515	70	1966–1985
22	Younis Khan	Pakistan	118	10,099	70	2000–2017
23	David Warner	Australia	112	8,786	69	2011–2024
24	Sachin Tendulkar	India	200	15,921	69	1989–2013
25	Ian Botham	England	102	5,200	67	1977–1992
26	Gordon Greenidge	West Indies	108	7,558	67	1974–1991
27	AB de Villiers	South Africa	114	8,765	64	2004–2018
28	Carl Hooper	West Indies	102	5,762	63	1987–2002
29	Kapil Dev	India	131	5,248	61	1978–1994
30	Steve Smith	Australia	119	~10,271	61	2010–2025
31	Mahela Jayawardene	Sri Lanka	149	11,814	61	1997–2014
32	Sanath Jayasuriya	Sri Lanka	110	6,973	59	1991–2007
33	Wasim Akram	Pakistan	104	2,898	57	1985–2002
34	Sourav Ganguly	India	113	7,212	57	1996–2008
35	Jonny Bairstow	England	100	6,042	56	2012–2024
36	Jason Holder	West Indies	69	3,073	55	2014–2024
37	Imran Khan	Pakistan	88	3,807	55	1971–1992
38	Ross Taylor	New Zealand	112	7,683	55	2007–2022
39	Stuart Broad	England	167	3,662	55	2007–2023
40	Craig McMillan	New Zealand	55	3,116	54	1997–2005
41	Brad Haddin	Australia	66	3,266	54	2008–2015
42	Shahid Afridi	Pakistan	27	1,716	52	1998–2010
43	Kusal Mendis	Sri Lanka	73	~4,757	52	2015–2025
44	Mohammad Yousuf	Pakistan	90	7,530	51	1998–2010
45	Kumar Sangakkara	Sri Lanka	134	12,400	51	2000–2015
46	Mitchell Starc	Australia	96	~2,217	49	2011–2025
47	Aravinda de Silva	Sri Lanka	93	6,361	48	1984–2002
48	Javed Miandad	Pakistan	124	8,832	48	1976–1993
49	Inzamam-ul-Haq	Pakistan	120	8,830	48	1992–2007
50	Herschelle Gibbs	South Africa	90	6,167	47	1996–2008

Six-Hitting by Country: Who Produces the Most Big-Hitters?

Let’s break it down by country. Here are the teams with the most players in the top 50:

• India: 11 players
  
• Australia: 10 players
  
• West Indies: 9 players
  
• New Zealand: 7 players
  
• Pakistan: 8 players
  
• England: 6 players
  
• Sri Lanka: 6 players
  
• South Africa: 3 players
  
• Bangladesh: 1 player

Teams like India and Australia lead because of their long Test histories and strong batting depth. But what stands out is how New Zealand, with fewer matches, has produced some top six-hitters like McCullum, Southee, and Cairns.

Sixes in Test Cricket: Then vs Now

Hitting sixes in Tests used to be rare. In the early days, players focused on staying at the crease. But over the last 20 years, the approach has changed. Players now score faster, and pitches are more batter-friendly.

What’s Changed?

• Batters are more aggressive from ball one
  
• Fitness and power-hitting training are better
  
• T20 influence has improved range-hitting
  
• Shorter boundaries in some venues help six counts
  
• Bat technology has made hitting easier
  

For example, Ben Stokes and Rishabh Pant play like T20 hitters, even in whites. This trend is likely to continue with the next generation.

Final Thoughts: Why Six-Hitting is Changing Test Cricket

Test cricket has always been about skill, timing, and patience. But now, six-hitting adds excitement without taking away the value of classic batting. Players like Ben Stokes, Gilchrist, and Pant have proven that you can entertain and still win matches.

As younger batters come in with fearless attitudes, we’ll likely see the six-counts rise even higher in the future. Fans love it, stadiums love it, and bowlers? Well, they may not.

What Next?

If you found this blog helpful, share it with fellow cricket fans. Comment below with your favourite six-hitter or the biggest six you’ve ever seen in a Test match. Let’s talk about cricket.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Who has hit the most sixes in Test cricket?
Ben Stokes holds the record with 133 sixes in Test matches as of 2025.

2. What is the fastest player to reach 100 sixes in Test cricket?
Rishabh Pant reached 100 sixes quicker than most, due to his aggressive batting style and fewer matches played.

3. Has any bowler hit over 50 sixes in Tests?
Yes, Tim Southee has hit 98 sixes while playing as a lower-order bowler for New Zealand.

4. How many sixes did MS Dhoni hit in Test cricket?
MS Dhoni hit 78 sixes in his Test career.

5. Are sixes more common in modern Test cricket?
Yes, due to T20 influence, power training, and more aggressive tactics, sixes are now more frequent in Tests.

6. Which Indian player has hit the most sixes in Tests?
Virender Sehwag leads among Indian batters with 91 sixes in Test cricket.

7. Has any player hit over 400 sixes in all formats combined?
Yes, several players like Chris Gayle and Rohit Sharma have crossed that mark across Tests, ODIs, and T20s.

8. How many sixes has Virat Kohli hit in Tests?
Virat Kohli has hit 30 sixes in his Test career as of 2025.

9. Do tailenders contribute much to six counts?
Surprisingly, yes. Players like Stuart Broad, Tim Southee, and Pat Cummins have contributed many sixes as lower-order hitters.

10. Who has hit the most sixes in a single Test innings?
Wasim Akram hit 12 sixes in one innings against Zimbabwe in 1996, which is still among the highest.