Top 10 Centuries without hitting a six in ODIs

Big centuries are laced with piercing boundaries and big hits over the fence, especially if playing in the limited overs format. They require runs to be scored at a rapid pace. However, not every time does a batsman prefer the risk of taking the aerial route to score runs when they are easily able to take those comfortable singles and doubles with regular fours. There are several highly talented batsmen (some known for their big hitting prowess) who have posted massive individual scores in ODIs without the help of sixes. Here are the top 10 centuries without hitting a six in ODIs. 10. Desmond Haynes – 145* v New Zealand: Desmond Haynes. (© Popperfoto/Getty Images) The West Indies opener was a strong and ruthless batsman. He was a part of the world-beating Windies side which was on a conquering streak during the 70’s and the 80’s. On 14 April 1985, Haynes hit a famous ODI century, a superb unbeaten knock of 145 off 147 balls opening the innings against New Zealand. His innings included 16 fours but no sixes. Also check out – Batsmen with most sixes at each batting position in ODIs 9. Sachin Tendulkar – 146 v Kenya: Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo by Patrick Eagar/Patrick Eagar via Getty Images)” The master blaster was an intelligent cricketer who knew how to blend aggression and the calm approach. Tendulkar also had a penchant for big hits and would never let an opportunity to pull the ball in the midwicket region for a maximum go by. However, strangely, during his wonderful knock of 146 off 132 deliveries against Kenya in 2001 he did not hit a single six. But, his innings witnessed 17 boundaries. 8. Hashim Amla – 150 v England: Hashim Amla. (Photo Source: Ireland Cricket Twitter Handle) Hashim Amla has been the top order batting mainstay for South Africa for a few years now and has played many fantastic innings. One of his memorable innings is the 124-ball 150 runs knock that he played against England in 2012. He blasted the English bowling line-up comprising of James Anderson, Steve Finn and Graeme Swann at the Rose Bowl, Southampton to score his then career best score. However, he did not hit a single six all throughout his innings which saw 14 fours coming off his blade. Also check out – 9 Instances when calm cricketers lost their cool 7. Shivnarine Chanderpaul – 150 v South Africa: Shivnarine Chanderpaul. (Photo Source: Getty Images) The batsman with the quirky batting stance is the next in the list. In 1999, Shivnarine Chanderpaul was already an established batsman in the West Indies line-up and justified his role in the team after he played a fantastic knock against South Africa in East London. He opened the innings and smashed a dazzling 150 runs from just 136 balls. He played almost till the end of the West Indies batting innings and could only be dismissed in the 48th over. In spite of playing in an aggressive manner, Chanderpaul didn’t hit a single six in the innings. 6. Gautam Gambhir – 150* v Sri Lanka: Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir plays a shot. (Photo by LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images) Gautam Gambhir played a match winning knock against Sri Lanka in a thrilling contest at Eden Gardens. India were asked to chase 316 to win and Gambhir along with Virat Kohli scripted one of the best chases in India’s ODI history. The left-hander came in after Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar left early, but the Delhi lad then batted brilliantly and showcased all his experience to hit an unbeaten knock of 150 runs off just 137 balls, ensuring India a victory by 7 wickets. Strangely, despite chasing such a big target, Gambhir did not hit a single six throughout the innings. Also check out – 6 Times Gautam Gambhir was involved in an altercation 5. Andrew Strauss – 152 v Bangladesh: England batsman Andrew Strauss. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images) Bangladesh were totally dominated by Andrew Strauss in the 4th match at Trent Bridge in 2005. The English batsman smashed a belligerent century to propel his team to a huge total of 391/4 in 50 overs. Strauss opened the innings and carted the Bangla bowlers with the ease to hit 152 from only 128 balls with 19 fours. However, the most standout part was that he did not hit a single six during his inning. 4. Sachin Tendulkar – 152 v Namibia: Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo by Patrick Eagar/Patrick Eagar via Getty Images)” Tendulkar once again features in the list and this time, Namibia were at the receiving end of his bashing. The master blaster, along with Sourav Ganguly smacked the inexperienced Namibian bowling attack. Both struck wonderful centuries. Tendulkar’s innings came to an end after he was dismissed by Rudi van Vuuren in the 48th over. He returned to the pavilion for a run a ball 152 with the help of 18 fours. Also read – Top 10 Batsmen with most centuries at No 4 in ODIs 3. Brian Lara – 153 v Pakistan: West Indies cricketer Brian Lara (R) sweeps a ball. (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) Brian Lara was a class apart when it came to batting. The West Indian mastered the art of hitting big scores in Tests and was equally effective in the ODIs. Lara produced a match-winning batting performance against Pakistan in the Pepsi Champions Trophy final. Chasing, 285 to clinch the trophy, Lara, opened the innings and cracked a superb 153 off just 143 deliveries, enabling his team to chase the target comfortably and win the summit clash. This knock was laced with 21 fours, was his career best at that time. 2. Hashim Amla – 153* v West Indies: Hashim Amla. (© Gallo Images/ Getty Images) Cricket fans can never forget the 2nd ODI at the New Wanders in 2015 where hosts South Africa met West Indies. South Africans murdered the West Indian bowlers and amassed a whopping 439 runs on the scoreboard with all the top three batsmen (Hashim Amla, Rilee Rossouw, and AB de Villiers) scoring crushing tons. Amla opened with Rossouw and began did not straightaway take the aggressive route. He reached his century in 105 balls and then pressed the accelerator to score more aggressively. He eventually ended not out with 153 runs from 142 balls which included 14 fours. But, all throughout the blistering innings, he did not manage to hit a single six. 1. Tillakaratne Dilshan – 161* v Bangladesh: Tillakaratne Dilshan. (© Getty Images) Out of all the players in the list, only Tillakaratne Dilshan has the pure reputation of being a wild hitter. Hitting a six isn’t a great deal for him but it was a rather unusual day when he hit 161not out against Bangladesh without hitting a single maximum. Sri Lanka clashed with Bangladesh in the 2015 cricket World Cup at Melbourne. Dilshan opened the innings and smothered the Bangla attack to score his career-best knock and propel Sri Lanka to a commanding total of 332. His innings was studded with 22 solid boundaries. Also read – Top 10 Wicket Keepers with most centuries in international cricket