Two England bowlers share a unique cricket moment.
In an unusual event during the Leeds Test against Pakistan, England bowlers Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson each took five wickets, marking the 16th time two England bowlers have taken all ten wickets in a Test innings. Traditionally, a bowler who takes five wickets is presented with the cricket ball to celebrate the achievement. However, with both bowlers claiming five wickets in the same innings but only one ball available, they devised a novel way to commemorate the feat by splitting the ball in half and sharing it.
The duo’s idea was inspired on the spot after the innings ended. With some uncertainty, they entrusted the groundsman to carefully split the red cherry. The result was perfect, creating two halves of the prized cricket ball—an unusual souvenir. Both bowlers expressed their fondness for this unique memento, with plans to preserve their halves in creative ways such as mounting the ball or even repurposing it as a bathroom door handle.