DUBLIN — Ireland’s Curtis Campher etched his name into cricket history by becoming the first male player to take five wickets in five consecutive balls in a professional match. The stunning feat occurred during Ireland’s T20 World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands, leaving fans and analysts in awe of the 24-year-old’s remarkable achievement.
Campher’s extraordinary spell unfolded in the 10th over of the Netherlands’ innings, where he dismantled the batting lineup with precision and composure. The right-arm medium-fast bowler dismissed Colin Ackermann, Ryan ten Doeschate, Scott Edwards, Roelof van der Merwe, and Pieter Seelaar in rapid succession, turning the match on its head. "I’ve never seen anything like it in my career," said Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie after the match.
A Historic Moment in Cricket
While hat-tricks (three wickets in three balls) are rare, Campher’s five-in-five is unprecedented in men’s professional cricket. The only comparable instance came in women’s cricket, when Australia’s Megan Schutt achieved the feat in a 2018 T20I against New Zealand. Campher’s performance now stands as one of the most dominant bowling displays in the sport’s history.
The sequence of dismissals was as follows:
- Ackermann: Caught behind (0)
- ten Doeschate: LBW (0)
- Edwards: Bowled (0)
- van der Merwe: Caught at mid-off (0)
- Seelaar: LBW (0)
The Aftermath and Reactions
Campher’s heroics reduced the Netherlands from 51/2 to 51/7, effectively sealing Ireland’s victory. The Dutch were eventually bowled out for 106, with Ireland chasing down the target comfortably. "It’s surreal," Campher said post-match. "I just tried to bowl straight and let the pitch do the rest. To take five in five is something I’ll never forget."
Former cricketers and analysts took to social media to praise the young bowler. England legend Michael Vaughan tweeted, "Curtis Campher has just produced one of the greatest overs in cricket history. Five wickets in five balls—absolutely unbelievable!" Meanwhile, former South African pacer Dale Steyn called it "a once-in-a-lifetime performance."
Campher’s Journey to the Record
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Campher moved to Ireland in 2020 after failing to break into the Proteas setup. He quickly established himself as a key player for Ireland, making his international debut later that year. His all-round abilities—combining disciplined bowling with handy lower-order batting—have made him a vital asset for the Irish side.
Before this match, Campher had already shown glimpses of his potential, including a four-wicket haul against the UAE in 2021. However, his five-in-five has now catapulted him into global recognition. "This is the kind of performance that defines careers," remarked Ireland coach Graham Ford.
Where Does This Rank in Cricket History?
While rare, there have been other notable bowling feats in cricket:
- Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – Four wickets in four balls twice in ODIs (2007 & 2019)
- Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) – T20I hat-trick in just 11 balls (2019)
- Anil Kumble (India) – All 10 wickets in an innings (1999 Test vs. Pakistan)
Conclusion: A Day to Remember
Curtis Campher’s historic spell will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary moments in cricket. His precision, composure, and ability to seize the moment have cemented his place in the sport’s folklore. As Ireland continues to rise in international cricket, performances like this will only bolster their reputation as a competitive force.
"Records are made to be broken, but this one might stand for a very long time," said former Ireland captain William Porterfield. For now, Campher’s name is etched in history—a feat unlikely to be matched anytime soon.