Brett Randell made history in the Plunkett Shield match between Central Districts and Northern Districts in Napier, becoming the first bowler to take six wickets in eight balls in first-class cricket, finishing with career-best figures of 7 for 25 from 11 overs. Randell’s spell proved decisive as Northern Districts were dismissed for 82 and forced to continue after Central Districts posted 373 in their first innings.
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The remarkable sequence began as Northern Districts, starting their reply 4 for 0, collapsed to 9 for 5 in just five Randell runs. Henry Cooper fell first, bowled by an accurate inswinger. Jeet Raval immediately followed and Joe Carter was caught behind to complete Randell’s hat-trick. Randell then had Robert O’Donnell caught in the slips and edged Kristian Clarke as he made it five wickets in five consecutive balls.
At the end of this extraordinary burst, Randell’s bowling figures were 2.4-1-2-5. He continued to dominate, claiming another wicket soon after and securing his place in first-class history as the first player to take six wickets in eight deliveries.
Randell eventually completed his spell with 7 wickets for 25 runs in 11 overs, a personal best in his first-class career. His performance was instrumental in reducing Northern Districts to a total of just 82, a deficit that forced them to bat again immediately.
This feat stands out in the context of cricket history as similar achievements are rare in other formats as well. Only a handful of bowlers have taken five wickets in five balls in T20 cricket, including Curtis Campher for Munster Reds and Kelise Ndhlova in Zimbabwe’s home competition in 2024. Randell’s achievement in the longer format sets a new benchmark.
WHAT DID RANDELL SAY ABOUT HIS SUCCESS?
Randell said he was pretty blown away by his own performance and said he just tried to keep the same line and length throughout his spell.
“I’m pretty amazed. The height was pretty crazy, it was like a pinch,” Randell said after his performance. “I was trying to stay composed and put the ball in the same area and then after the actual hat trick, just the same things — I was trying to put the ball in the same area.
“It was hammered into us a lot that we didn’t want to look for wickets, so I just tried to keep bowling the same ball and our ‘plan A’ that we talked about and it worked.”
“I had no idea it was the first time (five wickets in five balls in first-class cricket) in the world, it’s really cool. I mean, I’m really speechless at the moment to be honest. I’m taking it.”
Team selection played a role in Randell’s opportunity; he may not have started in the match if senior bowlers Ajaz Patel and Blair Tickner were available as both missed the match due to injuries. This allowed Randell to enter the bowling attack and deliver a record performance.
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Published on:
08 March 2026 14:54 IST
