Brett Randell became the first bowler in first-class cricket history to take five wickets in five consecutive deliveries during a domestic match in New Zealand. The 30-year-old, playing for Central Stags against Northern Districts in the Plunket Shield, finished with impressive figures of 7-25. This feat marks a historic moment in the 254-year history of the format.
On day two of the Plunket Shield match between Central Stags and Northern Districts in Napier, New Zealand, on March 8, 2026, bowler Brett Randell etched his name into cricket history. The right-arm medium pacer, aged 30, took five wickets in five balls, becoming the first to achieve this in first-class cricket, which dates back 254 years.
Randell started his remarkable spell by claiming the first wicket at the end of his second over. He then took the next four from the beginning of his third over, causing Northern Districts to collapse from 4-0 to 9-5. At that stage, his figures stood at 5-2. He added another wicket with the first ball of his fourth over, securing six wickets in eight balls overall. Randell later dismissed one more batter, ending with 7-25 from 11 overs as Northern Districts were bowled out for 82 in reply to Central Stags' 373.
Reflecting on the moment, Randell said: "I'm pretty blown away. The high was pretty crazy, it was like a pinch-me moment." He emphasized maintaining composure: "I was trying to stay level-headed and keep putting the ball in the same area." On the uniqueness of the achievement, he added: "I had no idea that it was the first time it had happened in the world, it's seriously cool. I mean, I don't really have any words at the moment, to be honest. I'll take it."
While this is the first such instance in first-class cricket, the feat has occurred in shorter formats. Ireland's Curtis Campher took five in five in a domestic T20 match in July 2025, and Zimbabwe Women's Kelis Ndhlovu did so in a under-19 T20 in 2024. Randell, who has played county cricket for Somerset in 2024, stuck to his team's 'Plan A' without searching for wickets.
