Ireland’s Curtis Campher has etched his name in the record books by becoming the first male cricketer to take five wickets in five consecutive balls in professional cricket. He achieved this extraordinary feat while representing Munster Reds in the Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy match against North-West Warriors in Dublin.
Campher began his magical spell by bowling Jared Wilson and trapping Graham Hume lbw to end the 12th over. When he returned in the 14th, he completed a rare hat-trick by dismissing Andy McBrine, then went on to remove Robbie Millar and Josh Wilson — making it five wickets in five balls.
Speaking after the match, Campher expressed surprise at what he had just accomplished. “I wasn’t really sure what was happening. I just stuck to my plans, kept things simple, and luckily it all worked out,” he told Cricket Ireland.
Thanks to Campher’s stunning performance, Munster Reds cruised to a dominant 100-run victory. His spell completely dismantled the North-West Warriors’ batting lineup, leaving fans and fellow players stunned.
Although Campher is the first male to achieve this milestone, Zimbabwe’s Kelis Ndhlovu was the first cricketer overall. She recorded five wickets in five balls during an under-19 women’s T20 match in 2024, setting the precedent for this ultra-rare bowling achievement.
Now, with this historic performance, Campher joins the elite few who have redefined what’s possible in T20 cricket, and his name is sure to be remembered for years to come.