Brett Randell Achieves Historic Five Wickets in Five Balls in Plunket Shield

Brett Randell made history in a Plunket Shield match by taking five wickets in five consecutive balls, a first in first-class cricket. His remarkable performance included a seven-wicket haul, leading to a dramatic collapse of Northern Districts. This achievement not only highlights Randell's skill but also places him among the elite bowlers in the history of the game. With Central Districts dominating the match, Randell's inclusion was particularly significant due to injuries in the team. Discover more about this historic bowling feat and its implications for the future of cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 8, 2026, 15:53 IST

A Remarkable Bowling Feat

In a remarkable display of bowling that will be etched in the annals of first-class cricket, Brett Randell achieved an extraordinary milestone by taking five wickets in five consecutive deliveries during a Plunket Shield match held at McLean Park between Central Districts and Northern Districts.

Unprecedented Achievement

As reported by ESPNcricinfo, the 30-year-old fast bowler's phenomenal performance on Day 2 made him the first player in the extensive history of first-class cricket to accomplish the rare feat of five wickets in five balls. Randell concluded with impressive figures of 7 for 25, achieving his seven-wicket haul in just 3.5 overs as Northern Districts faced a dramatic collapse.

A Stunning Collapse

Randell's spell commenced with the dismissal of opener Henry Cooper on the last ball of an over, igniting a stunning collapse. He quickly struck again in his next over, completing a hat-trick as the Northern Districts' top order fell apart. His relentless attack continued with two more wickets in successive deliveries, leaving the opposition in disarray. In just five balls, Northern Districts plummeted from a solid position to a precarious 11 for 7.

Record-Breaking Bowling Figures

At one point, Randell's bowling figures were an astonishing 7 for 4 as he dismantled the batting lineup within a single session. This remarkable spell also placed him in a unique statistical category, as he became the first bowler in first-class cricket to take six wickets in eight deliveries. His seven wickets fell within a mere 12 balls, a feat only matched once in the long history of the format.

Central Districts Dominate

Northern Districts were ultimately bowled out for a mere 82 runs after Central Districts had set a formidable target of 373 in their first innings. With a substantial lead of 291 runs, Central Districts captain Tom Bruce opted to enforce the follow-on, maintaining pressure on the opposing team.

Historic Performance for Central Districts

Randell's seven-wicket haul now ranks among the finest bowling performances in Central Districts' first-class history. Only spinner Bryan Yuile's 9 for 100 against Wellington in 1966 surpasses this achievement in terms of wickets taken for the team. This spell also marked the eighth hat-trick recorded in Central Districts' first-class history, joining the ranks of bowlers like Gary Bartlett, Matt Toynbee, and others.

A First in First-Class Cricket

While five wickets in five balls have been recorded in T20 cricket, notably by Curtis Campher in Ireland's Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy and Zimbabwe's Kelis Ndhlovu in women's domestic T20 cricket, Randell's accomplishment is the first of its kind in the longer format of first-class cricket.

Seizing the Opportunity

Interestingly, Randell's participation in the match came as a result of injuries to senior New Zealand bowlers Ajaz Patel and Blair Tickner, making his historic performance even more significant for the Central Districts team.