Most Sixes in Test Cricket: Tim Southee Goes Level With Chris Gayle in Fourth For Maximums in Farewell Match

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Most sixes in Test cricket: New Zealand pacer Tim Southee overtook Jacques Kallis and drew level with Chris Gayle in fourth for the highest number of maximums in the longest format of the game on Saturday (December 14).

Southee, who is playing his farewell match of his international career, took his tally of sixes in Test cricket to 98 during day one of the third and final Test between New Zealand and England at the Seddon Park in Hamilton.

While batting on Day 1 of the Test match, the 36-year-old scored quickfire 23 off 10 balls, a knock which was laced with three maximums and one boundary. With these three sixes, the Kiwi cricketer equalled the record for most sixes in Test cricket with Chris Gayle which is 98.

Southee, who had recently overtaken Virender Sehwag in the list for most sixes, also surpassed South Africa's Kallis on the list as he closed in on a century of maximums in the longest format.

Southee is now only behind England skipper Ben Stokes (133), former New Zealand player Brendon McCullum (107), and ICC Hall of Famer Adam Gilchrist (100). Here is a look at the players with most sixes in Tests:

Most Sixes in Test Cricket

• Ben Stokes (England) - 133 sixes in 197 innings
• Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) - 107 sixes in 176 innings
• Adam Gilchrist (Australia) - 100 sixes in 137 innings
• Tim Southee (New Zealand) - 98 sixes in 155 innings
• Chris Gayle (West Indies) - 98 sixes in 182 innings
• Jacques Kallis (South Africa) - 97 sixes in 280 innings
• Virender Sehwag (India) - 91 sixes in 180 innings
• Rohit Sharma (India) - 88 sixes in 113 innings
• Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) - 88 sixes in 206 innings
• Brian Lara (West Indies) - 88 sixes in 232 innings

Southee is the only bowler or lower order batter to feature in the top 10. He has a chance to go past Gilchrist in his final innings should he come out to bat in the remainder of the Hamilton Test, which saw day one end with New Zealand slightly on top.

Coming back to the Test, England were placed in the backseat after skipper Tom Latham (63) and Young's (42) commanding opening partnership. Once the partnership broke, England exerted pressure on New Zealand by exposing them to their consistent line and length.

From a controlling position, which saw the Kiwis put up 142/2, New Zealand slipped to 231/7. The day ended with Mitchell Santner providing an invaluable 50*, with William ORourke unbeaten at the other end.