AMAZING - Tim Southee equals THIS batting feat of Sachin Tendulkar in Tests

When it comes to comparison between Sachin Tendulkar and Tim Southee in batting, there is absolutely NO comparison. Tendulkar has played 200 Tests and has scored 15921 runs at an average of 54 with 51 centuries. Southee, on the other hand, has played 66 Tests and managed just 1564 runs at an average of just under 18. Tendulkar batted in the middle order while Southee is a tailender. However, in the Galle Test against Sri Lanka which is part of the ongoing World Test Championship, Southee equalled Tendulkar's feat in stunning fashion. 

When Southee launched Akila Dananjaya for a six over long off, Southee equalled Tendulkar's tally of sixes hit in Test cricket. Tendulkar hit 69 sixes in his 200-Test career but what is impressive about Southee is that he has hit 69 sixes in just 66 Tests, which indicates his far superior big-hitting prowess. When it comes to most sixes hit by tailenders in Test cricket, Southee is miles ahead than any cricketer. Southee's tally of 69 sixes is the most by a tailender and he is one of only two tailenders to hit 50 or more sixes in Tests, the second being former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, who hit 57 sixes in 104 Tests.

The overall list of sixes hit in Test cricket is headed by former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum, who smashed 107 sixes in 101 Tests. Adam Gilchrist, the former Australia wicketkeeper, is second on the list having hit 100 sixes in 96 Tests. When one looks at superior sixes versus number of Tests played, only six players make the cut, including Southee. The other players who have hit more sixes in relation to number of matches played, McCullum leads the tally with 107 sixes from 101 games. Gilchrist is second with 100 from 96 Tests followed by New Zealand's Chris Cairns who hit 87 sixes in 62 Tests. Andrew Flintoff of England hit 82 sixes in 79 Tests while Pakistan's Misbah ul Haq hit 81 sixes in 75 Tests. 

Many of Tendulkar's records in batting might never be broken, but in Galle, Southee has equalled one feat and is on the cusp of breaking at least one record set by what many consider the greatest batsman ever.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Sachin Tendulkar has hit 69 sixes in 200 Tests.
• Tim Southee has hit 69 sixes in just 66 Tests.
• Southee has hit the most sixes by any tailender in Test history.