New Zealand pacer Tim Southee marked his final Test match with a special milestone, equaling West Indies legend Chris Gayle’s record of sixes in the longest format. The 36-year-old reached the landmark during Day 1 of the third Test against England at Seddon Park.

Southee Equals Gayle’s Record
With 98 sixes in Test cricket, Southee now shares fourth place on the all-time six-hitting list alongside Chris Gayle. The list is led by England’s Ben Stokes with 133 sixes, followed by Brendon McCullum (107) and Adam Gilchrist (100). Southee’s quick-fire 23 off 10 balls in New Zealand’s first innings included three sixes, adding to his reputation as a powerful lower-order hitter.
Strong Start for New Zealand
England, winning the toss and electing to bowl, saw New Zealand’s top order deliver solid performances. Openers Tom Latham (63 off 135) and Will Young (42 off 92) laid the foundation for a competitive score. At No. 3, Kane Williamson contributed 44 off 87, while Mitchell Santner’s unbeaten 50 off 54 balls added crucial runs. New Zealand finished Day 1 at 315/9, with Santner and Will O’Rourke (0*) set to resume on Day 2.
A Look Back at Southee’s Remarkable Career
Southee, a stalwart of New Zealand cricket, has been a standout performer across all formats. He is one of only three New Zealand bowlers to surpass 300 Test wickets and boasts the highest Test batting strike rate among players with a minimum of 2000 runs (83.12).
Making his Test debut in 2008 against England, Southee made an immediate impact, claiming a five-wicket haul and scoring a blistering 77 off 40 balls in the second innings.
His career highlights include leading New Zealand to their historic World Test Championship (WTC) title in 2021 and finishing as runners-up in the 2015 and 2019 Cricket World Cups. A seasoned leader, Southee captained the Black Caps across all formats, leaving a lasting legacy in New Zealand cricket.
The Final Chapter
As Tim Southee bids farewell to Test cricket, his contributions with both bat and ball continue to inspire. Equalling Gayle’s six-hitting record in his final match underscores his impact as a dynamic and fearless cricketer. New Zealand will look to honor their veteran’s swansong with a strong performance in the series decider against England.