In a unique celebration of a rare cricketing feat, England pace bowlers Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson decided to literally split their match ball in two after both claimed five-wicket hauls on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley. The pair became the first England bowling duo to achieve five-wicket hauls in the same innings in two decades, matching the effort of Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar, who last accomplished the feat against Pakistan at Old Trafford in 2006.
The duo’s combined performance helped restrict Pakistan to 171 all out after England captain Joe Root won the toss and elected to bowl. By the close of play in Leeds, England had reached 112-2. The decision to divide the ball was made as the players walked off the field.
Match Ball Details
- Josh Tongue: 5-46
- Ollie Robinson: 5-51
- Team Manager: Wayne Bentley, who facilitated the request with groundstaff
- Outcome: The ball was successfully halved within five minutes
“Robbo said we can split the ball in half,” Tongue told Test Match Special. “The groundstaff have kindly done that. It’s the first time I’ve seen that happen. I’m sure I’ll be putting that up somewhere.” Robinson, who displayed his half during a media conference, added that the idea felt like a fitting way to commemorate a moment they would never forget.
For Robinson, the performance marked a particularly significant week. The 32-year-old recently welcomed his first child, Eva, with his wife Mia, born in the early hours of last Thursday. “It’s a really special week having another baby. It almost makes today even sweeter, when you leave them after the birth and you put a performance in,” Robinson said. “I know they’re not here, but I was thinking of them the whole time.”
Robinson’s display at Headingley represents his fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Since his recall to the England side earlier this summer, he has continued to impress, having previously taken seven wickets—including a five-for—in his first Test back against New Zealand at Lord’s. He currently boasts 88 Test wickets at an average of 21.25, a record that places him as the most efficient England seamer since 1914.
Reflecting on his return to the international stage following a period of absence due to fitness concerns, Robinson noted, “I probably learned a lot about myself when I was out of the team. At the moment I probably feel as good as I’ve ever felt. I’m probably not in as good a rhythm as I would like, but as long as I can stay on the park and stay fit, hopefully I can get that rhythm and stay good.” The report also notes that josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson are the first England pair to take five-wicket hauls in the same innings for 20 years. The report also notes that a bowler will pocket the cricket ball after claiming a five-wicket haul, much like it is a tradition for a footballer to take away the match ball after scoring a hat-trick. The report also notes that it would be quite cool, josh said it and I said: ‘We actually should do that.
