Top 5 English batsmen with most ODI sixes 

With flat pitches, fast outfields and thicker bats, the ODIs have always been considered a batsman’s game. The rules of the format make it such that it becomes easy to attack, especially in the first ten and the last ten overs.

England has always been a consistent side in this format and has had some mighty six-hitters in this millennium.

Here are the 5 English batsmen who have hit the most number of sixes in ODIs over the years.

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#5 Paul Collingwood – 74 sixes

Very few would think that someone like Paul Collingwood would find a place in the list of the most number of sixes hit by an English batsman. The player would prefer gritting it out and playing along the ground, and therefore it is a surprise that he hit 74 sixes in his international ODI career.

However, he was very swift off his feet against the spinners and it helped him to smash away the deliveries for a maximum. He was at his devastating best in an ODI against New Zealand at Christchurch in 2007, when he reached his 50 in just 24 deliveries, with the help of six beautifully timed sixes.

He ended his career with 5092 runs at an average of 35.36.

#4 Kevin Pietersen – 76 sixes

The destructive player from South Africa, who shifted base to England and played for the Three Lions in 134 matches, was one of the most destructive players when in full flow.

Over the years, he developed the switch hit, in which he would change his stance from a right-hander to a left-hander and continue to smash the bowlers all over the park with even more vigour.

Even though a controversy enveloped over his new-shot, Pietersen refused to let it affect his performances and ended his career with 4422 runs at an average of 41.32.

#3 Jos Buttler – 79 sixes

The batsman who is credited with changing the dynamics of England’s batting in the new millennium, Jos Buttler, has had an extraordinary ODI career with his national team so far. As of 2016, three of England’s fastest ODI hundreds belonged to him – a huge achievement indeed, considering no other player from the country ranks in the top 40.

The flip shot over long-on and the ramp shot over the keeper remains some of his greatest inventions and he often resorts to six-hitting when the required run-rate has reached daunting levels.

He was a revelation in his innings against New Zealand, where he scored 129 in 77 with 5 sixes and then in his 52-ball 116 against Pakistan – a knock that included 8 sixes. He had also scored a 74-ball 121 against Sri Lanka. All these knocks have effectively cemented his place as one of the biggest-hitters in the world.

#2 Andrew Flintoff – 92 sixes

While the world is divided over Andrew Flintoff’s genius as a cricketer, there is no denying that what Freddie brought to the table was much more than just stats. He was one of the most loved cricketer’s across the nation and it would not be a hyperbole to suggest that the sports rise in popularity in the early 2000s had a lot to do with Flintoff’s presence.

The powerful batsman was a mighty smasher of the ball as he ended with 92 sixes in his ODI career that lasted 132 games.

#1 Eoin Morgan – 133 sixes

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The former Ireland player, Eoin Morgan rose up the ranks in England’s limited overs arena after an array of audacious and inventive strokes in his armoury. With his power and his patience, he proved to be a natural finisher of the innings, something that English cricket had long been searching for.

He encouraged his team-mates to play an aggressive brand of cricket and the result is that England, today, stand as one of the most feared ODI cricket teams.

With 133 sixes in 172 games, Morgan has built a reputation with his big-hits and it would be interesting to see how many sixes he eventually finishes with.