Historic Bowling Feat: England Pacers Share Match Ball After Five-Wicket Hauls

In a remarkable display of bowling, England's Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue each took five wickets in the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley. This historic achievement marks the first time in 20 years that two England bowlers have accomplished this feat in the same innings. To commemorate their success, the duo decided to cut the match ball in half, ensuring they both have a piece of this memorable occasion. As England began their batting innings, they ended Day 1 trailing by 59 runs. Read on to discover more about this historic match and the significance of their unique souvenir.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 20, 2026, 17:55 IST

England's Bowling Brilliance at Headingley

On August 19, during the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley, England's fast bowlers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue achieved a remarkable milestone by each taking five wickets in the first innings.

After captain Joe Root chose to bowl first, the duo dismantled Pakistan's batting order, limiting them to just 171 runs in 48.1 overs. Abdullah Shafique was the standout performer for Pakistan, scoring a resilient 61, while his teammates struggled against the English bowlers' relentless pressure and skillful seam movement.

A Unique Commemoration of Their Achievement

Robinson (5/51) and Tongue (5/46) collectively claimed all ten wickets, marking the first instance in two decades where two England bowlers achieved five-wicket hauls in the same innings. To commemorate this extraordinary achievement, they decided to cut the match ball in half, allowing both bowlers to keep a piece as a memento of this historic event.

The Story Behind the Split Ball

Robinson and Tongue became the first England pair since 2006 to accomplish this feat in a Test innings. They chose to split the match ball to preserve their rare accomplishment as a shared keepsake, ensuring they both had a tangible reminder of their unforgettable performance at Headingley.

During the post-match press conference, Robinson explained the idea behind this unusual souvenir. He suggested the idea to Tongue as they left the field, and Tongue quickly agreed, recognizing it as a special way to remember the day.

Robinson recounted, 'As we were walking off, Tonguey said, 'I think we should split it.' I was like, 'Yeah, we should actually do that, I think it'd be quite cool.' I asked if they could do it, and within five minutes, they brought it back, and it was done.'

A Memorable Gesture

Robinson expressed that this gesture would be unforgettable, given how rare it is for two bowlers to achieve five-wicket hauls in the same innings. He remarked, 'It's one of those things that you don't really have too many halves of... half a cricket ball. It's something we'll never forget really, and it's not too often two guys get five in the same innings, so it's a nice gesture and something to remember.'

England's Batting Response

Following their impressive bowling display, England began their first innings batting and ended Day 1 at 112/2 in 25 overs, with Joe Root and Jordan Cox contributing 37 and 23 runs, respectively, trailing by 59 runs.