Tim Southee Matches Chris Gayle in Prestigious Test Record; Ben Stokes Leads the Pack

Tim Southee Matches Chris Gayle’s Six-Hitting Record in Tests; Ben Stokes Tops the Chart

New Zealand’s veteran cricketer Tim Southee made history on Saturday by equalling West Indies legend Chris Gayle’s record of 98 sixes in Test cricket. His explosive cameo in the third and final Test against England at Seddon Park, Hamilton, sees him take joint fourth position on the all-time six-hitters list.

During his 107th and last Test match, Southee thrashed three sixes in his whirlwind 10-ball 23 that had also included a boundary. In fact, the record for hitting the most sixes in Test cricket is held by England captain Ben Stokes who has hit the ropes 133 times in 110 Tests. Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is at the second spot in the list with 107 sixes in 101 Tests and Australia’s Adam Gilchrist is at the third place with 100 sixes in 96 matches.

Middle order collapse for New Zealand after good start

New Zealand ended day one at 315/9, failing to fully capitalize on their strong opening partnership. Tom Latham (63) and Will Young (42) laid a solid foundation with a 105-run opening stand after being asked to bat. However, England’s bowlers, led by Matthew Potts and Gus Atkinson, turned the game around with disciplined seam bowling, exploiting New Zealand’s reckless middle-order batting.

Six wickets were lost for just 89 runs as Rachin Ravindra (18), Daryl Mitchell (14), Tom Blundell (21), and Glenn Phillips (5) gave off-side fielders enough presents in the form of careless shots to take away New Zealand’s wickets during the afternoon session.

Late Santner Fightback

Mitchell Santner provided some late resistance with an unbeaten 50, including a six off the last ball of the day to regain some momentum for the hosts. He will bat on into the second day alongside Will O’Rourke, who has yet to score.

Bowlers shine for England

Matthew Potts (3/75) had an impact on his return, getting rid of the top scorer Latham and Kane Williamson (44). Williamson fell in agonizing fashion, playing onto his stumps off Potts. Gus Atkinson (3/55) continued his stellar debut year, taking his career tally to 51 Test wickets, second only to Australian Terry Alderman’s 54 wickets in 1981 for the most by a debutant in a calendar year.

Key Moments in the Day

• Tom Latham survived two dropped chances by Ben Duckett but edged one to the keeper off Potts.
• Will Young scored 40 of his 42 runs through boundaries before falling to Atkinson.
• New Zealand’s 105-run opening stand was the best of the seam-dominated series, surpassing the previous highest of 18.

Southee, pleasing the Hamilton crowd, finished his Test career with style, courtesy of his whirlwind cameo and three sixes, one away from achieving the rare distinction of hitting 100 sixes in Test cricket.