New Zealand’s Brett Randell scripted world first-class history on March 8, the morning of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final. Central Stags' Randell became the first pacer in first-class history take five wickets from five balls. He achieved the feat against Northern Districts on Day 2 of their Plunket Shield 2025-26 match at McLean Park, Napier.
Randell’s 5 wickets from 5 balls
After Central Stags were bowled out for 373. Randell and Raymond Toole took the new ball. On the last ball of the third over, Henry Cooper got bowled as he misjudged the delivery and shouldered arms.
In his next over, he knocked over Jeet Raval with an in-swinging delivery. Joe Carter arrived the crease and edged one to wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver. Robert ODonnell was drawn into a shot and was caught in the slip cordon by Curtis Heaphy. Kristian Clarke got bowled in a bizarre fashion. Initially, he wanted to defend and then went for the leave. The ball took an inside edge, bounced, and then took off the bail. Clarke tried to stop it but was too late in his attempt to prevent his wicket. They were reduced to 9/5 in the fifth over.
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Randell bags 7-fer
Randell went on to take seven wickets in 11 overs, conceding just 25 runs. Toole, Toby Findlay and Jayden Lennox took one wicket each as Northern Districts were bundled out for 82 in 32.2 overs. Central Stags skipper asked Northern Districts to follow on.
This is Randell’s best bowling figures in his first-class cricket career. It is the best bowling figures for a Central Stags bowler. He is only second to spinner Bryan Yuile who claimed nine wickets for 100 runs in 1966.
He became the eighth Central Stags bowler to take a hat-trick. The other bowlers on the list are Gary Bartlett, Matt Toynbee, Peter Visser, Tim Anderson, Mitch McClenaghan, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Blair Tickner.