What constitutes the Longest six in cricket history? A measurement has therefore been designed by officials to determine the greatest maximums ever hit by hitting sixes. They look at certain parameters. These are the point of contact and direction of the shot to determine where the ball landed or when it flew out of the stadium.
The record of the longest six in the history of cricket, came in the year 2013 when a Pakistani batter stunned the viewers on the screen by sending a full toss over the stadium in Johannesburg at a distance of 174 meters. To the current date, no other person has been able to achieve such a record distance in almost a decade.
In this article, we will discuss what’s the standard to measure the six in cricket and also, we will throw the spotlight back to all the great batsmen who hit the greatest sixes in cricket history!
How the Distance of Six is measured:
Taking measurements to estimate the distance of the longest sixes hit on the cricket field is not the easiest thing. Authorities have come up with sound techniques for measuring these enormous maxima. They will clearly define the point contact between the ball and the bat to determine a more precise value of the launch angle and speed of the bat. High-speed cameras positioned at different viewpoints capture the moment when the ball contacts the racket; its pictures are studied to plot coordinates in three-dimensional space.
The path is then modeled upon various aspects such as its wind resistance to ascertain where it could have possibly impacted or indeed, if it went over the stands at all. They will also factor the position of the batter and bowler and the boundaries in establishing other coordinates of the ball before hitting the ground. It is through this careful process that cricket’s longest sixes are rightly verified for the history books.
Afridi’s Monster Six Out of the Stadium
Shahid Afridi an all-rounder from Pakistan is one more cricketer recognized for his great striking competency. Afridi was involved in an incident in the year 2013, while Pakistan was playing against South Africa when he wanted to give the bowler a dose of his muscles. In the over bowled by the South African pacer Ryan McLaren, Afridi went on the back foot and made a huge heave to a delivery. It rose gently and went a mile and a half over the roof of the stadium with ease. Eyewitnesses claimed it went up to 173 meters, closer to 180 meters! To this day, it remains the longest-recorded six in international cricket.
Brett Lee Teaches England a Lesson
Coming in second on the longest-six list is Australian speedster Brett Lee. In a match against England at the Gabba, Lee was faced with England bowler Daren Powell. Not one to back down from a challenge, Lee stepped out and took a mighty swing. The ball sailed through the air and landed far beyond the ground, clearing the roof completely and finishing up in the practice nets located outside the stadium! England must have been shocked to see the ball disappear over 135 meters after being struck by Lee’s bat.
Guptill’s Thunderous Roof-Hitting Six
Another big hitter from New Zealand opener Martin Guptill also has one of the longest recorded hits. The year was 2012 and the team was the South African cricket team; Guptill faced bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe.On seeing a full ball for a delicious shot, Guptill went to his strength and muscles. A much larger jump occurred in the subsequent throw which landed into the roof of the ground and rebounded back to the field at an approximate 127 meters. Guptill has to have left fans and his teammates hugely inspired with the kind of power hitting that he displayed.
Top 10 Longest Sixes in Cricket History
In this section, as the title shows, we are going to tell you about the top 10 sixes that ever happened in the history of cricket:
1. Shahid Afridi (158m) – 2013
The record-holder is still Shahid Afridi for his mammoth 158m six against South Africa in 2013.
2. Brett Lee (135m) – 2005
In the second spot is Australian fast bowler Brett Lee’s monstrous 135m hit against England at the Gabba.
3-Aiden Blizzard (130m) – BBL 2018
Representing Victoria, Aiden Blizzard clobbered the longest recorded domestic T20 six of 130m in the Big Bash League. The gigantic hit sailed far outside the boundary.
4- Martin Guptill (127m) – 2012
During New Zealand’s Guptill, he hammered a 127m six off South Africa, hitting the roof of the stadium.
5- Liam Livingstone: 122 meters, and 2021.
Liam Livingstone of England recently produced a 122 meter shot during the T20I against Pakistan.
6- Corey Anderson (122m) – 2014
New Zealand all-rounder Anderson saw his balloon burst during a one-day cricket match against India when he hit the ball to a distance of 122 meters landing in the stands.
7-Mark Waugh (120m) – 1997
Aussie Waugh once held the record of hitting a massive 120 meters over the rope off NZ’s Vettori.
8-Albie Morkel with the biggest six of the IPL 2008, 124 meters long.
While playing for CSK, South African all-rounder Albie Morkel came up with the record longest six in IPL which is 124 meters on Chepauk stadium.
9- ADAM GILCHRIST ( 122 M) IPL 2011
In an IPL game, the player from KXIP and former Australia wicket keeping batsman Adam Gilchrist hit a 122m six against a South African bowler.
10-Victor Trumper (120-125m) – 1903
Australian legend Trumper reportedly hit a six in 1903 that cleared the boundary and broke a window across the street, estimated at 120-125m.Domestic cricket has seen some mammoth hits over the decades. Blizzard, Morkel and Gilchrist remain among the elite for stroking some of the longest-recorded sixes in T20 history.
Longest hits in other cricket formats
In 50-over cricket, the top distances for sixes remain similar to T20s with Shahid Afridi’s 173m heroics at the top.When it comes to Test matches, Brett Lee retains the record with a gigantic 135m six smashed for Australia against England at Brisbane in 2005.
As for women’s cricket, no six has yet been officially measured at the distances of the men’s elite hits.But the women’s game, in particular, is experiencing power-hitting evolving significantly over the past years, especially with players like Alyssa Healy from Australia. Of course this doesn’t reveal exact distances but women’s cricket sixes are surely traveling even further than before.
Conclusion
The distances that some cricket shots have traveled is nothing less than astonishing. From Afridi clearing the stadium by over 170 meters to Morkel and Blizzard launching ones beyond 125 meters in domestic games, players from different eras have shown the jaw-dropping power they can generate. However, accurately measuring the exact distances of some vintage hits may never be possible. Still, there is no doubt that the modern cricketers, with enhanced fitness, training and equipment, have taken six-hitting to unprecedented standards.
While certain individuals like Afridi and Lee may continue holding the top spots for the foreseeable future, the trend of rising six distances is set to continue. Young talents entering the sport will no doubt be eyeing the elite records. Moreover, improvements in video and tracking technology may help evaluate some of the impressive hits from the pre-camera era as well. With power-hitting developing further in women’s cricket too, even bigger surprises could still be in store. Only time will tell how much further cricket missiles can potentially travel.
FAQs
Q: How are six distances accurately measured?
A: Most modern distances are tracked by advanced video technology that plots the trajectory and bounce of the ball. Some estimates also use measurements from the strike to where the ball lands.
Q: Could any future players hit over 200m?
A: It’s difficult but not impossible as players get fitter and stronger. Much depends on bat and ball technologies too. Lighter bats allowing faster swing speeds could produce monstrous hits.
Q: What about sixes in other formats like Tests?
A: Test matches offer less opportunity for big hits due to test match batting. However, Brett Lee’s 135m ODI six shows it’s possible in Tests too given the right circumstances like pace and batting all-out attack mindset.
Q: Will women cricketers soon match men’s distances?
A: It’s reasonable to expect six distances to increase in women’s cricket as the game grows. Players like Healy have demonstrated the talent is there. With more specialized power training too, groundbreaking hits over 150m could emerge within years.
