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Brett Randell Makes History with 5 Wickets in 5 Balls in First-Class Cricket

Brett Randell of Central Districts has created cricketing history by taking five wickets in five consecutive deliveries during a Plunket Shield match. His astonishing spell, which included a hat-trick, resulted in career-best figures of 7 for 25 and triggered a dramatic Northern Districts collapse. Randell's achievement is the first of its kind in the long history of first-class cricket, surpassing even rare T20 occurrences. The performance helped bundle out Northern Districts for 82, leading to a commanding first-innings lead and a follow-on.

Key Points: Brett Randell Takes 5 Wickets in 5 Balls in First-Class Cricket

  • Historic first-class bowling feat
  • Career-best figures of 7/25
  • Northern Districts collapsed to 11/7
  • First bowler to take 6 wickets in 8 balls
  • Follow-on enforced after 291-run lead
3 min read

Brett Randell scripts history with five wickets in five balls in first-class cricket

Central Districts' Brett Randell scripts history with a stunning spell of 5 wickets in 5 consecutive balls during a Plunket Shield match.

"the first player in the long history of first-class cricket to achieve the unprecedented feat - ESPNcricinfo"

Napier, March 8

In a historic spell that will be remembered as one of the most remarkable bowling performances in first-class cricket, Brett Randell produced a stunning burst of wickets to claim five scalps in five consecutive deliveries during a Plunket Shield match between Central Districts and Northern Districts at McLean Park.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the 30-year-old fast bowler's extraordinary spell on Day 2 saw him become the first player in the long history of first-class cricket to achieve the unprecedented feat of taking five wickets in five balls.

Randell went on to record career-best figures of 7 for 25, completing his seven-wicket haul in just 3.5 overs as Northern Districts collapsed dramatically.

Randell's burst began with the dismissal of opener Henry Cooper with the final ball of an over, triggering a sensational collapse. Returning in his next over, he struck immediately again and soon completed a hat-trick as Northern Districts' top order unravelled.

The relentless spell continued with two more wickets in consecutive deliveries, leaving the opposition in tatters.

Within the space of five balls, Northern Districts crashed from a steady start to a precarious 11 for 7. At one stage, Randell's bowling figures stood at an extraordinary 7 for 4 as he ripped through the batting lineup during a single session.

The remarkable spell also placed Randell in another rare statistical category, as he became the first bowler in first-class cricket to claim six wickets in eight deliveries. His seven wickets fell within just 12 balls, a sequence surpassed only once in the format's long history.

Northern Districts were eventually bundled out for just 82 runs after Central Districts had earlier posted 373 in their first innings. With a commanding lead of 291 runs, Central Districts captain Tom Bruce enforced the follow-on to maintain pressure on the opposition.

Randell's seven-wicket haul now stands among the best bowling performances in Central Districts' first-class history. Only spinner Bryan Yuile's 9 for 100 against Wellington in 1966 remains superior in terms of wicket tally for the side.

The spell also marked the eighth hat-trick recorded in Central Districts' first-class history, joining a list that includes bowlers such as Gary Bartlett, Matt Toynbee, Peter Visser, Tim Anderson, Mitch McClenaghan, Kieran Noema-Barnett and Blair Tickner.

Five wickets in five balls have previously been recorded in T20 cricket, most notably by Curtis Campher in Ireland's Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy and by Zimbabwe youngster Kelis Ndhlovu in women's domestic T20 cricket, but Randell's achievement marks the first instance in the much longer format of first-class cricket.

Interestingly, Randell's inclusion in the match came amid injuries to senior New Zealand bowlers Ajaz Patel and Blair Tickner, making the historic performance even more significant for the Central Districts side.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Absolutely mind-blowing performance! To think this is the first time it's happened in first-class cricket's long history. Makes you wonder about the mental state of the batters at the other end. Must have been pure panic in that dressing room.
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Arjun K
This is historic, no doubt. But let's also spare a thought for the Northern Districts batters. From 11 for 7 to all out for 82... that's a proper collapse. Shows how one inspired spell can change everything. Cricket is a great leveller.
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Sarah B
As a cricket fan living in India, this is the kind of bowling we love to see. Pace, accuracy, and relentless pressure. Reminds me of some of our great Indian spells, but 5 in 5 is on another level entirely. Congrats to Brett Randell!
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Karthik V
Fantastic achievement, but I do have a respectful criticism. The article mentions he got his chance due to injuries to senior players. Sometimes, it takes such opportunities for real talent to shine. The domestic circuit is so important for discovering these gems.
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Michael C
Wow! 7 for 4 at one stage? That's video game numbers! 😲 This is why first-class cricket matters. These performances build character and create legends. Hope the highlights are available online, would love to watch each of those dismissals.

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