Kiwi bowler creates history: 5 Wickets in 5 balls, a first in 254 years!
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A record has been set in New Zealand domestic cricket that has astonished the cricketing world. Brett Randell created history by taking five wickets in five consecutive balls in first-class cricket. This unique achievement occurred in a Plunket Shield match.
The match was being played between the Central Districts cricket team and the Northern Districts cricket team in Napier. On the second day, Randell bowled a lethal spell that changed the course of the match in just a few minutes. Northern Districts had scored 4 runs without losing a wicket, but after Randell's spell, the team's score became 9 runs for 5 wickets.
Randall created history by taking 5 wickets in 5 balls
Randall took his first wicket by bowling out opener Henry Cooper on the last ball of his second over. After this, he also bowled out Jeet Raval on the first ball of the next over. Joe Carter was caught out as the third wicket and with this Randall completed his hat-trick. After this, Robert O'Donnell was caught in the slip and then Kristian Clarke was also bowled after taking an inside edge. In this way, by taking five wickets in five consecutive balls, he created a rare record in first-class cricket.
6 wickets in 8 balls, team all out for 82
Randall did not stop here. After some time he also dismissed Ben Pomare and Scott Kuggeleijn. In this way he became the first bowler to take 6 wickets in 8 balls in first-class cricket. He completed seven wickets in 3.5 overs and finally took 7 wickets for 25 runs in 11 overs. In front of his lethal bowling, the entire team of Northern Districts was reduced to just 82 runs. Earlier, Central Districts had scored 373 runs in their first innings, due to which the opposing team had to play follow-on.
Randall himself was surprised
After his historic performance, Brett Randall said that he himself was surprised by this achievement. He said that it was such a moment when he had to pinch himself to believe it. According to Randall, he was just bowling at the right line-length and playing according to the team's strategy. Interestingly, if some senior bowlers of the team were available, Randall might not have got a chance to play in this match. Due to injuries, he got the opportunity and he converted it into a memorable performance.
Such a feat has happened before in T20 cricket
This is the first time such a feat has happened in first-class cricket, although such a feat has been seen before in T20 cricket. Curtis Campher took five wickets in five consecutive balls in Ireland's domestic T20 league. Apart from this, in 2024, Zimbabwe's young player Kelise Ndlovu achieved this feat in an Under-19 T20 match.