NZ Bowler Takes 5 Wickets in 5 Balls
Brett Randell just made cricket history by taking five wickets in five consecutive balls during a first-class match for Central Districts against Northern Districts. This feat is believed to be the first of its kind in 254 years of first-class cricket. The New Zealand fast bowler said he was "blown away" after the landmark spell that sent shockwaves through the global cricket community.
The historic spell occurred on the second day of a Plunket Shield match, New Zealand's domestic first-class cricket championship, at McLean Park in Napier. The Plunket Shield is the breeding ground for future Test players for the BLACKCAPS, New Zealand's national team. Randell's victims included former New Zealand Test opener Jeet Raval and current New Zealand seamer Kristian Clarke. The 30-year-old right-arm bowler dismissed Henry Cooper with the last ball of his second over, before removing Raval, Joe Carter, Robbie O’Donnell, and Clarke with the first four balls of his third over. This incredible feat saw Northern Districts, the reigning Plunket Shield champions, collapse to a score of 9-5 at one stage. Randell went on to take two more wickets, finishing with career-best figures of 7-25 as Northern Districts were bowled out for just 82. While this is a first in the 254-year history of first-class cricket, a similar achievement has occurred once in professional T20 cricket. Ireland's Curtis Campher took five wickets in five balls in a domestic T20 match.
