New Zealand’s Jacob Oram has hit the longest six in ODI cricket when he sent the ball beyond 130 metres in a match against Australia in 2005.
Watching a batsman hit a bowler for a maximum is one of the best sights for any cricket fan in the sport. Over the years, cricket has emerged as an attacking game with plenty of big hits and boundaries on display.
With smaller ropes, heavier bats, and flatter pitches, run scoring has become easier, which also means that the par score has increased in the last two decades.
To keep up with the changing trend, the batters have to be at their aggressive best, which is a reason why the average number of sixes in a game has increased manifold of late.
We take a look at the longest sixes in international cricket (ODIs) that have wowed fans.
Note that only official records have been considered in the article.
Longest Six in ODI Cricket: Top 5 list
| No. | Player | Team | Distance (metres) | Year |
| 1 | Jacob Oram | New Zealand | 130 m | 2005 |
| 2 | Corey Anderson | New Zealand | 122 m | 2014 |
| 3 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 120 m | 2013 |
| 4 | MS Dhoni | India | 118 m | 2009 |
| 5 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 117 m | 2005 |
Jacob Oram (130+ metres, New Zealand vs Australia, 2005)
A cricketer who had set the stage on fire in his heydays, Jacob Oram has the official record for the longest six in the history of ODI cricket. His shot of over 130 metres in a game against Trans-Tasman rivals Australia way back in 2005 came in the second innings off the bowling of Stuart Clark.
Chasing a total of 332 set by the Aussies, the onus of taking the side over the line was on the shoulders of Oram and Scott Styris. The duo attacked the bowlers from both ends, with the all-rounder achieving the feat of the longest six in the 40th over of the run chase. After hitting Clark for a four, Oram smacked him over the ropes for a 130+ metre six that left fans awe-struck – the longest six in cricket history (ODIs).
Oram eventually made 42 in 37 deliveries, with his knock playing a huge role as New Zealand chased down the target with six balls and two wickets to spare.
Corey Anderson (122 metres, New Zealand vs India, 2014)
Corey Anderson, who has retired from New Zealand cricket to play the sport in the United States of America, was one of the most dangerous batters on his day. He displayed his power in white-ball cricket, with his strike rate of 108.72 and 138.17 in ODIs and T20Is, respectively, giving a hint of his abilities.
Anderson recorded one of the longest sixes of the format when he smashed Mohammad Shami over the ropes and into the parking area in the first ODI between India and New Zealand at McLean Park in Napier.
His innings of 68 off just 40 balls, with the help of three fours and four maximums, propelled the home team to a target of 292 for 7, which proved to be 24 runs too many for the Indian team.
Shahid Afridi (120 metres, Pakistan vs South Africa, 2013)
The Pakistani, who holds the record for the longest unofficial six, also features in the official list of longest six hitters in international cricket.
One of the most dangerous players, ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi mesmerized fans with his quick cameos lower down the order and his ability to run away with the game in no time.
Afridi, who has a number of records to his name, including being the youngest centurion in ODI cricket (though his age, not surprisingly, is up for debate), also owned the record for the longest six in the format till Anderson’s feat in 2014.
Playing the 3rd ODI at Johannesburg, Pakistan, who were chasing a stiff 344 for a win, were in a spot of bother at 132 for 5, before Afridi walked out to bat in the 25th over of the innings. The all-rounder was at his aggressive best and ended with a fine knock of 88 in just 48 deliveries with the help of five fours and as many as seven sixes!
One of the sixes hit was recorded as the longest in 50-overs till then, with official data confirming it as a 120-metre hit. However, as the ball went over the ropes and into the parking arena, unofficially, reports state that the six was 158 metres long!
Pakistan, however, were unable to get over the line as they were dismissed for 309 to give South Africa a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (118 metres, India vs New Zealand, 2009)
This list would have been incomplete without the presence of former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Widely regarded as one of the best finishers in the game, Dhoni was often at the forefront, chasing down steep targets and taking apart the best bowlers in the world in his prime.
Evidence of his big-hitting skills was on display in the 3rd ODI against New Zealand in 2009 at Christchurch, where he smashed a huge six of a distance of 118 metres in the 44th over of the Indian innings.
The ball, a short-arm jab, was sent away into the crowd, much to the dismay of the bowler to register the fourth-longest six in cricket (ODI). Dhoni was on fire in the game as he ended with a score of 68 off 58 balls while batting at number five. Team India ended the innings with a huge score of 392 for 4.
In reply, the Kiwis got off to a blazing start with the duo of Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder putting together 166 in 22 overs, but the target proved to be 58 runs too many for the hosts in the end.
Shahid Afridi (117 metres, Pakistan vs Australia, 2005)
There is a reason why the Pakistani is held in such high esteem by lovers of the game all across the globe. A regular wicket-taker and a consistent match-winner with the bat, Afridi helped his team to a number of memorable wins in his career.
One of his best knocks was a 13-ball 30 that he scored against Australia in Perth way back in 2005. The visitors were set a target of 266 for a win, but the equation looked tough with the team collapsing to 170 for 6 in 36.4 overs.
Enter Afridi, who hit as many as three fours and two sixes in his short stay at the crease. One of the sixes was recorded as a hit of 117 metres, which is the fifth biggest six to date in the history of the ODI game.
His cameo helped Pakistan chase down the target in just 47.2 overs and register a win that seemed a long shot halfway through the innings.
Also Read: Who is the current captain of the Indian cricket team?
FAQs
What is the longest six in t20 international cricket?
Liam Livingstone’s 122m six against Pakistan is the longest six in T20 international cricket.
What is the longest six in test cricket?
Albert Trott hit the longest six in Test cricket history with his six travelling nearly 120-125 metres out of the park.
Who hit the longest six in Indian cricket history?
The longest six in Indian cricket history is hit by Yuvraj Singh. He recorded 120 metres against Australia in the 2007 T20 World Cup.
Who has hit the longest six in IPL?
Kings XI Punjab’s Adam Gilchrist has hit the longest six in IPL with his six travelling 122 metres.
