While some batsmen prefer to grind out wins, the swashbucklers are the ones the fans pay to see.
You know the types, the ones that strike fear into opposition bowlers’ minds, the ones who provide headaches to fielding captains.
This is the team who ranked boundaries first, second and third in the list of priority. I present the top six in the order of the biggest hitting Test XI of the last four decades.
1. Matthew Hayden
During his playing days, this man occupied a little area known as long on to mid-off. The intimidation that this man brought to the crease didn’t stop at his 1.88 metre frame, or his broad as all hell shoulders.
When other batsmen were standing back in their crease Hayden was coming at you. The walk down the pitch to opening bowlers just screamed arrogance and fans around the world loved it. Over the top or along the ground it didn’t matter, this man could dominate any bowler he wanted.
And he knew it.
2. Virender Sehwag
If there was ever a player to both infuriate and amaze batting coaches at the same time, Sehwag was the man. Over 8,000 runs at an average just under 50 all while possessing a ridiculous strike rate of 82 Sehwag, could dismantle teams and give bowlers nightmares.
If there is one thing to remember from Sehwag’s career, it would be his cut shot. If you didn’t know anything about the game, you’d think he’d simply gotten lucky as the ball raced to the boundary over and over again.
3. (C) Viv Richards
One of the most traumatising batsmen of all-time, no all-star line-up is complete without the Master Blaster Viv. Dig one in short to him and you can watch the ball sail into the crowd at square leg.
Over-pitch to him and cover fielders should just turn around for the slow jog to the boundary. As for spinners, his sparkling footwork meant that he could dispatch the leather to any part of the ground. Sir Viv also captains this team.
4. Brendan McCullum
In a toss-up between McCullum and Englishman Kevin Pietersen, I admit that the last couple of seasons got McCullum the nod. In recent years McCullum has flourished and Pietersen regressed.
Since giving up the gloves, McCullum has blasted 34 sixes – the same amount he did as keeper but in 20 matches less.
Since becoming captain, which accounts for about 15 per cent of his career, he has hit 30 per cent of his total sixes. This man playing as a pure batsman absolutely holds his own with the best of them.
5. David Hookes
Nothing sums up Hookesy more than his debut Test match in which he smashed opposition captain Tony Greig for five-consecutive fours.
Still the holder of the fastest first class century record (34 balls), he was the shining example of what an aggressive middle order batsman should look like. He was not the biggest hitter but undoubtedly one of the most entertaining.
6.Andrew Symonds
When talking about what makes Symonds the big hitting all-rounder that he is, one thing comes to mind – bat speed. The ability to punch a good length ball over the field is what makes this man great.
Still the record holder for the flattest six hit that I’ve ever seen, Symonds oozes big hitter persona. It doesn’t hurt either that his fielding is almost as exciting to watch as his monstrous hitting.
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