
Ireland all-rounder Curtis Campher made history by becoming the first-ever male professional cricketer to claim five wickets in five balls. The record-breaking achievement was made in the Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy when Campher guided Munster Reds to an easy win against North-West Warriors.
Campher, the Munster Reds captain as well, produced a magical spell which reduced the Warriors from 87 for 5 to 88 all out in pursuit of 189. He took incredible figures of 5 for 16 off 2.3 overs.
A Wicket Every Ball: Curtis Campher’s Five-Ball Spree Explained
Campher’s record-breaking spell lasted from the last ball of his second over to the first four of his third:
Jared Wilson – Bowled off an inswinger that rushed onto off stump.
Graham Hume – Trapped lbw on the next ball by another sharp inswinger.
Andy McBrine – Caught off the first ball of the following over, at deep midwicket.
Robbie Millar – Caught behind first ball, going after a ball outside off.
Josh Wilson – Bowled around the wicket as the ball slipped past his defense.
This breathtaking five-ball sequence not only concluded the Warriors’ pursuit but also went into the record books for an unprecedented achievement in men’s professional cricket.
Curtis Campher Responds to Record-Breaking Moment

Speaking post-match, Curtis Campher confirmed that the change of overs kept him in the dark about the feat in the moment.
“Due to the change of overs, I was not sure what was going on. I just stuck to my guns and kept it nice and simple, and luckily it sort of went off.”
When questioned as to whether he thought he could have taken six in six, he sheepishly said:
“No, I don’t think so. It is what it is. Just happy to be out there in the sun.”
Curtis Campher’s Impressive All-Round Comeback
This game was only Campher’s second after having come back from a finger injury which had kept him out of the ODI and T20I series against West Indies. In his return game against Leinster Lightning, he scored 57 off 35 balls without bowling.
Against the Warriors, Campher contributed yet again with the bat, scoring 44 off a mere 24 balls, showcasing his form as a proper all-rounder.
Performances aside, it has been really good just to be around the boys,” Campher said. “When you do get injured, it’s a bit of a dark place. So it has been nice. Just been treated with the weather too.”
Not the First Ever: Kelis Ndhlovu Holds Unique First
Although Curtis Campher became the first male cricketer to claim five wickets in five balls in professional cricket, he is not the first ever. That credit goes to Zimbabwe Women’s allrounder Kelis Ndhlovu, who achieved the milestone in 2024 for Zimbabwe U-19 versus Eagles Women in a local T20 competition.
Nevertheless, Campher becomes part of a very exclusive group and adds to his profile after earlier being among the scarce bowlers to claim four wickets from four balls in T20 internationals.
Curtis Campher: A New Star on the Irish Cricket Horizon
This is just the latest feather in what is turning out to be a career highlight for Curtis Campher. With solid performances in all formats, particularly under pressure, he remains a crucial player for Munster Reds as well as Ireland’s national team.
This record-breaking five-wicket haul in five balls is not only a record-breaking feat but a huge morale booster for Irish cricket at an international level.
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