On 17 March 2013, Pakistan legend Shahid Afridi hit what is widely accepted among fans to be the longest 6 in professional cricket history. With Pakistan chasing a huge total of 344, Afridi seized upon a loose delivery from bowler Ryan McLaren, swept his bat through the air, and heaved the ball 153 metres into the summer sky and out onto the roof of Johannesburg's New Wanderers Stadium.
While no cricketer has come close to eclipsing Afridi’s (albeit unofficial) record since, swinging for the fences has certainly not fallen out of fashion. For instance, during last year’s Vitality Blast tournament (England’s premier T20 competition) New Zealander Glenn Phillips hammered an enormous 36 sixes into the stands – that’s an average of 3 sixes per game!
In 2022, Phillips will be joined by fellow big hitters like Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone as the Vitality Blast returns to grounds around England and Wales. Alongside Finals Day on 16 July, fans should keep an eye out for high-stakes derby clashes like Surrey v Middlesex on 17 June, as well as great value days out like Hampshire’s “El Clasicoast” doubleheader on 4 June.
Tickets for the 2022 tournament start from as little as £15 for adults, while younger members of the family can usually attend at a far reduced rate. Alternatively, for those wanting to enjoy a night under the lights in style, hospitality offerings are available for all Birmingham Bears and Surrey home fixtures, with some exclusive options, like the Kia Oval’s Back of the Bowl experience (which includes great seats, street food, and complimentary drinks) costing just £99 for selected matches.
Still not enough to quash your cricket cravings? Don’t panic because the newest and most popular tournament of the domestic calendar is also right around the corner – The Hundred. Back for just its second year after a triumphant launch in 2021, the only 100-ball cricket competition in the world is guaranteed to provide enough hits and “Howzats!” to keep you satisfied until September. Tickets for the event go on general sale on Wednesday 20 April, while a range of hospitality offerings for games at Edgbaston and the Kia Oval are available on Koobit today.
For more information on cricket events near you, or to buy tickets, click here.