New Zealand pacer sets historic record with five wickets in five balls
New Zealand fast bowler Brett Randell etched his name in the record books after becoming the first bowler in history to claim five wickets in five consecutive balls in first-class cricket, 24NewsHD TV reported on Sunday.
He also achieved another remarkable milestone by dismissing six batters in just eight deliveries, a feat never before recorded in the format.
The extraordinary performance came during a match between Central Districts cricket team and Northern Districts cricket team in New Zealand’s premier domestic tournament, the Plunket Shield, being played in Napier.
Randell’s remarkable spell began with the final delivery of his second over, when he dismissed Northern Districts opener Henry Cooper, who was caught in the field. That breakthrough set the stage for one of the most astonishing bowling displays in first-class cricket.
Although batter Ben Pomare briefly denied Randell the chance to claim a sixth wicket in six balls and complete a rare double hat-trick, the fast bowler quickly resumed his dominance in the next over.
Five wickets in five balls for Central Districts' Brett Randell – the first-ever instance in first-class cricket! pic.twitter.com/7qdJ9JPSxx
— Rahul (@exceedingxpuns) March 8, 2026
On the first delivery of that over, Randell struck again when batter Joe Carter was caught behind the wicket, followed by another dismissal on the next ball to complete his hat-trick.
He then removed Robert O'Donnell on the fourth ball before sending Kristian Clarke back to the pavilion on the very next delivery, sparking celebrations among his teammates and leaving the opposition stunned.
By the end of his spell, Randell had taken seven wickets for just 25 runs in 11 overs, capping off one of the most devastating bowling performances in domestic cricket history.