Top three highest 6th wicket partnerships in Test Cricket 

Test Cricket is the ultimate level for any cricketer who has or aspires to play at the highest level. The ultimate talent of any cricketer is tested during the five-days on the field playing the longest format of the sport. 

It is said that bowlers hunt in pairs, but the same also holds true for the batters. Partnerships are the key for any side to be successful and batting in the middle-order in Test Cricket requires special skills. 

In this article, let us take a closer look at the top three 6th wicket partnerships in Test Cricket history.

3. 352 Runs – Brendon McCullum and BJ Watling versus India – Wellington -2014

New Zealand holding a 1-0 lead batted first in the second test and were bowled out for 192. Ishant Sharma picked 6 wickets while Mohammed Shami picked 4. India took a lead of 246 runs with Ajinkya Rahane scoring 116 and Shikhar Dhawan 98. At one stage the home side were looking at a huge loss after being reduced to 94/5. 

That’s when the tide turned as skipper Brendon McCullum and BJ Watling added 352 runs for the 6th wicket. The partnership ended all hopes of an India win as McCullum became the first Kiwi to score a triple ton. BJ Watling and James Neesham scored centuries to earn the team a well-deserved draw. 

2. 365* Runs – Kane Williamson and BJ Watling – versus Sri Lanka – Wellington – 2015

Just 11 months after putting Indian bowlers to the sword, Wellington saw yet another run fest. Yet again BJ Watling was at the forefront of a world record 6th wicket stand in Test Cricket. On this occasion it was the Sri Lankans who had to endure the blazing blade of Kane Williamson and BJ Watling. 

Trailing by 135 runs New Zealand were 159/5 and in a huge spot of bother. Williamson and Watling batted for nearly two days to add unbeaten 365 runs for the 6th wicket. Kane Williamson scored 242 while Watling scored 142. Chasing 390, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 196 with Mark Craig picking 4 wickets and Lahiru Thirimanne top scoring with 62.

1. 399 – Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow – versus South Africa – Cape Town -2016

It seemed like the record for the 6th wicket stand was changing at the turn of each year. For a third year in a row, there was a new record holder. After winning the Durban Test with ease, England came to Cape Town in good form. 

For 346 balls, South Africa did not breathe easy as Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow caused havoc. The pair added 399 runs for the 6th wicket to set a new record which no one has since come close to bettering. The eventual 400 run stand did not come as Ben Stokes was run out by AB De Villiers for 258. 

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