Top 5 No. 6 New Zealand Test batsmen of all time

The New Zealand cricket team struggle in the early years of its existence as a Test playing nation but since the 1960s they became far more competitive and steadily improved over the years.

However, as is the case with all cricket teams, the team's successes came about once top players came in through the system and made the team stronger.

Over the years, many of those cricketers have been middle-order batsmen, who have gone on to become important members of the Test team in different points of time and were responsible for whatever success the team enjoyed.

Although it is true that New Zealand have not had truly brilliant batsmen at number 6 in their cricketing history, it is interesting to have a look at the players who performed well at that position.

#5 Vic Pollard

The all-rounder played for New Zealand in 40 Test matches from 1965 to 1973 and became one of the team's more dependable batsmen in the middle-order in those years, when the team often found it tough to compete, especially away.

Vic Pollard batted at number 6 in only 15 Tests but his aggregate remains the 5th highest among all players who have played at the position for New Zealand.

Pollard had been more famous as an off-spinner but is gritty batting at number 6 was extremely important for a team that was still finding its way at the top level of professional cricket.

In those 15 Test matches, the right-hander made 634 runs at a rather modest average of 27.56. He made 1 century and 4 half-centuries during his stint at number 6.

#4 Shane Thomson

His off-spin bowling never really did the trick at Test level but former New Zealand all-rounder Shane Thomson proved to be one of his country's most prolific batsmen at number 6 and remains the third highest run scorer at the position.

He had a rather short Test career, that lasted only 19 Test matches across five years from 1990 to 1995 and he played at number 6 in all but two of those games. The right-handed batsman was known for being an attacking batsman and after he had nailed down the position, he had played brilliantly.

A century in a dramatic chase against Pakistan back in 1993-94 season remains one of his more memorable innings. However, an alarming drop in form eventually brought about his ouster from the team. He made 879 runs in those Test matches and averaged 32.55. Thomson made 1 century and 5 half-centuries in his career.

#3 Jacob Oram

The big left-hander is perhaps known more for his immense power hitting skills in limited overs cricket but what is often forgotten is that the former New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram had also played 33 Test matches from 2002 to 2009.

Oram wasn't the most technically gifted of batsmen but he tried his best at the number 6 position and provided the New Zealand middle-order with a certain edge from 2003 to 2008.

However, his powerful batting was often quite helpful for New Zealand when it came to scoring quick runs and throughout the course of his stint at number 6, he provided the muscle to the lower middle-order.

In those 16 Test matches at number 6, Oram made 732 runs at an average of 34.85 and considering the fact that he was an all-rounder, it was not that bad a return. He made 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries during the course of his stint at number 6.

#2 Craig McMillan

The former New Zealand middle-order batsman played in 55 Test matches for his country from 1997 to 2005 and out of those, he played at number 6 in 39 games.

Craig McMillan made his debut for New Zealand when he was only 21 and was particularly known for his penchant for attacking batsmanship, which made him an ideal candidate for the number 6 position.

Although he might not have had the tightest technique, he could play a range of strokes and was excellent against spin. However, bad runs of form often hampered his career and he often found himself in and out of the side.

In 39 Test matches, McMillan made 1899 runs, which is the highest at number 6 by any New Zealand batsman and averaged 41.28. He scored 5 centuries and 11 half-centuries.

#1 Jeremy Coney

The former captain who played for his country from 1974 to 1987, led the rise of New Zealand's stature as a Test nation in the 1980s and Jeremy Coney himself was regarded as one of the team's leading batsmen for most of his career.

He played in 52 Test matches and out of those, he played at number 6 in 34 of them. The right-handed batsman was known for his solidly, his defensive technique and the ability to stabilise the innings if New Zealand found themselves in trouble.

He played plenty of superb knocks when the team seemed to be staring at a poor score. In those 34 Test matches, Coney made 1772 runs and averaged 45.43, which is the highest among all batsmen from the country to have played at the position in a minimum of 10 Tests. Coney made 2 centuries and 10 half-centuries while batting at number 6.