Blackwell crowned Sixes champion

Ian Blackwell smashed 45 sixes on his way to the title © Getty Images

Ian Blackwell has won the Sky Sports Sixes League, setting a new League record for sixes hit in domestic cricket in 2005.

The Somerset batsman hit 45 sixes off 669 balls, winning the League by 12 sixes. He was presented with the Sky Sports Sixes League trophy and a cheque for £2,000 at the PCA Awards dinner at the Royal Albert Hall.

Surrey's Alistair Brown came second with 33 sixes off 601 balls, while Owais Shah from Middlesex was third with 33 sixes off 805 balls.

On collecting the trophy and cash prize, Blackwell said: "This is fantastic. We all love to hit sixes and there's plenty of big-hitters out there. To beat them all and win the League is a brilliant achievement and I'm really proud."

Blackwell led the Sixes League for most of the season after taking the top spot back in late May. He burst into pole position thanks to 10 sixes in one innings and did not relinquish his lead once. His tally is more than double the number of sixes scored by last year's winner, Mark Ealham.

The Sky Sports Sixes League was launched last year to celebrate big-hitting cricket and has proved a popular addition to Sky's cricket coverage amongst fans and players alike.

The table ranks the 10 batsmen that have hit the most sixes in totesport League, Twenty20 Cup and Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy matches.

2005 Sky Sports Sixes League final standings

Position - Player - Sixes - Balls

1. Ian Blackwell (Somerset) - 45 (669)
2. Alistair Brown (Surrey) - 33 (601)
3. Owais Shah (Middlesex) - 33 (805)
4. Scott Styris (Middlesex) - 29 (535)
5. Neil Carter (Warwickshire) - 27 (568)
6. Mal Loye (Lancashire) - 24 (798)
7. David Sales (Northants) - 19 (716)
8. Jim Troughton (Warwickshire) - 19 (782)
9. Stuart Law (Lancashire) - 19 (892)
10. Ian Harvey (Yorkshire) - 18 (646)