There's nothing quite like the sound of a cricket ball meeting the sweet spot of the bat and sailing into the stands. It’s a moment of pure power and skill that gets every fan on their feet. While many players can clear the ropes, only a select few have managed to hit the ball so far it becomes the stuff of legend. We're talking about sixes that didn't just cross the boundary, but cleared the entire stadium.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi holds the record for the longest six, a mind-boggling 153 meters hit in 2013.
- ✓ In a surprising twist, Australian fast bowler Brett Lee smashed the second-longest six, measuring a massive 143 meters in 2005.
- ✓ England's Liam Livingstone and New Zealand's Corey Anderson are tied, with both having hit colossal sixes of 122 meters.
- ✓ Indian legend Yuvraj Singh is on the list with a 119-meter hit during the iconic 2007 T20 World Cup.
- ✓ The list features a host of power-hitters, including Martin Guptill, MS Dhoni, and the 'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle.
Today, we’re diving into the history books to look at some of the longest, most monstrous sixes ever recorded in international cricket. These are the shots that fans still talk about years later, moments where the ball seemed to hang in the air forever before finally returning to Earth. Get ready for some serious nostalgia and awe-inspiring power.
The Undisputed King of Long Hits
When you talk about big hitting, one name almost always comes up first: Shahid Afridi. The former Pakistan captain, famously known as "Boom Boom Afridi," built a career on his fearless, aggressive batting. He wasn't just a batsman; he was an event. His reputation as one of cricket's most dangerous players was cemented early on when he smashed a century in just 37 balls against Sri Lanka way back in 1996.
It should come as no surprise, then, that he sits at the very top of this list. In 2013, during an ODI match against South Africa in Johannesburg, Afridi unleashed a shot of epic proportions. Facing bowler Ryan McLaren, he connected perfectly and sent the ball flying an unbelievable 153 meters. To this day, no other six in international cricket has officially gone further. It's a record that perfectly encapsulates the kind of explosive player he was.
Afridi even makes a second appearance on the list of longest sixes. During a 2005 match against India in Dhaka, he hit a six that traveled a massive 118 meters. It's a testament to his consistent power-hitting that he appears multiple times. His incredible career stats as an all-rounder, with over 8,000 ODI runs at a strike rate of 117 and nearly 400 wickets, just prove what a phenomenal force he was in the game.
The Unlikely Heroes and Surprise Contenders
While you expect blistering batsmen to dominate this list, cricket always has a way of throwing up surprises. As mentioned, the second-longest six ever recorded belongs to Australian speedster Brett Lee. He was a bowler who terrified batsmen with his pace, taking 310 Test wickets and 380 ODI wickets. He even has the distinction of taking the first-ever hat-trick in a T20 World Cup, back in 2007.
But in 2005, during a Test against the West Indies, Lee turned the tables. Facing bowler Daren Powell, he swung hard and launched the ball a staggering 143 meters. It was a moment that showed even a specialist bowler could produce a once-in-a-lifetime hit. It was a truly shocking display of power from a player known for delivering rockets, not hitting them.
Another unexpected name on the list is Mark Waugh. The elegant Australian batsman was known more for his grace, timing, and placement rather than brute force. Yet, in a 1997 match against New Zealand at the WACA, he hit a 120-meter six off Daniel Vettori. For a player often considered underrated compared to his twin brother Steve, this massive hit was a powerful statement that he, too, could clear the stands with ease when he chose to.
The Kiwi Power-Hitting Crew
New Zealand has produced some of the most destructive batsmen in modern cricket, and it shows on this list. Leading the Kiwi charge is Martin Guptill, a powerful opening batsman. He's famous for holding the record for the highest individual score in a World Cup match, an unbeaten 237 against the West Indies in 2015. It’s no surprise that a man with that kind of scoring ability can also hit a long ball.
In 2012, during a match against South Africa, Guptill sent a delivery from Lonwabo Tsotsobe sailing 127 meters. The ball went over mid-wicket and actually hit the stadium roof, a clear display of his immense power. Interestingly, Guptill's teammates call him "Two Toes" because he lost three toes in an accident when he was 13, making his achievements as an elite athlete even more remarkable.
Joining him are fellow countrymen Corey Anderson and Jacob Oram. Anderson, a hard-hitting all-rounder, once held the record for the second-fastest ODI century, reaching the milestone in just 36 balls in 2014. In that same year, he blasted a 122-meter six against India's Mohammed Shami, with the ball landing squarely on the stadium roof. All-rounder Jacob Oram also makes the list, having hit a massive 130-meter six against Australia back in 2006, further cementing New Zealand's reputation for producing powerful hitters.
Modern Titans and Legends of the Game
The modern era of T20 cricket has brought power-hitting to the forefront, and England's Liam Livingstone is a prime example. In a 2021 T20I match against Pakistan at Headingley, he faced a fast delivery from Haris Rauf and hit it so hard that the ball cleared the stadium entirely. It landed on the rugby field next door, measuring a colossal 122 meters. It was a pure display of strength from a player who is also a uniquely versatile bowler.
Of course, no list of great hitters would be complete without Indian legends. Yuvraj Singh, or "Yuvi," was one of the cleanest and most powerful strikers of the ball. During the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia, he dispatched a 90 mph delivery from Brett Lee for a 119-meter six over square leg. This was in the same tournament where he famously hit six sixes in one over against England's Stuart Broad, cementing his legacy as a white-ball icon.
Then there's the master of the finishing blow, MS Dhoni. Known as one of the coolest and most successful captains ever, Dhoni's power was legendary. His longest six in international cricket came during a 2009 tour of New Zealand, where he launched an 118-meter shot that showcased his incredible ability to generate power. Finally, we have the Universe Boss himself, Chris Gayle. The West Indian giant hit a 116-meter six against India in the 2010 T20 World Cup, a shot that clattered onto the stadium roof and served as just another example of why he is considered one of the greatest T20 batsmen of all time.
Conclusion
Looking back at these incredible moments, it’s clear that hitting a cricket ball over 120, 140, or even 150 meters is a rare feat of extraordinary power and skill. From the sheer brute force of Shahid Afridi to the shocking hit from a bowler like Brett Lee, these sixes have become an unforgettable part of cricket's rich history. They are the moments that define careers, win matches, and leave fans in absolute awe. These strong hits are a perfect showcase of the power and excitement that makes cricket such a beloved sport around the world.
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