Central Stags bowler Brett Randell has taken an almost-unheard of five wickets in five balls, dismantling the Northern Districts batting lineup in round six of the Plunket Shield.
Central Districts were all out for 373 in their first innings of the match at Napier's McLean Park. Northern Districts began their innings Sunday morning.
The devastating run started at the end of the third over (Randell's second) of the match, with Northern Districts opening batsman Henry Cooper shouldering arms to an inswinging ball that hit the top of off stump.
Then, at the start of the fifth over (Randell's third), Jeet Raval, who has previously played for the Blackcaps, was bowled through the gate attempting to drive the ball down the ground.
Randall completed his hattrick (three wickets in three balls) with Joe Carter caught behind by keeper Dane Cleaver. Robbie O'Donnell was caught behind at third slip in similar fashion.
Kristian Clarke's dismissal rounded out the quickfire five-wicket bag. He got an inside edge attempting to leave the ball, which he helplessly watched bounce once before clipping leg stump.
Last year, Irish all-rounder Curtis Campher became the first male cricketer to take five wickets in a professional match.
In 2011, former Blackcap Neil Wagner also made the record books by bagging five wickets in an over (not in a row) for Otago against Wellington in the Plunket Shield.
Northern Districts continued to lose wickets, almost 300 behind with one wicket remaining after 30 overs. Randell had taken a further two wickets.
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