New Zealand's Brett Randell etched his name in cricket history by becoming the first player to take five wickets in five balls in first-class cricket. The 30-year-old seam bowler achieved the remarkable feat during a Plunket Shield match for Central Stags against Northern Districts in Napier.

Randell's extraordinary spell saw him claim six wickets in just eight deliveries, finishing with figures of 7-25 from 11 overs. Northern Districts were bowled out for just 82 in reply to Central Stags' 373, with Randell's burst proving decisive in the match. The right-arm bowler had previously played two County Championship games for Somerset in 2024.

While similar feats have occurred in T20 cricket - Ireland's Curtis Campher achieved it last year, and Zimbabwe Women's Kelis Ndhlovu did likewise in an U19 T20 in 2024 - Randell's achievement stands as the first in the 254-year history of first-class cricket. The veteran bowler described the experience as 'a pinch-me moment' and credited his focus on maintaining his bowling plan rather than chasing wickets.