Cricket: Wagner takes five wickets in an over

Neil Wagner. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Otago fast bowler Neil Wagner has rewritten the record books by taking five wickets in one over against Plunket Shield cricket rivals Wellington.

The South African-born left arm quick was in devastating form at Queenstown today with an unprecedented feat in a first-class match in this country during the over immediately before lunch on the third day of the four-day fixture.

Wellington began the over on 136 for four in pursuit of Otago's first innings of 441 for eight declared and they ended it in disarray at 136 for nine.

Wagner, 25, began his over by having opener Stewart Rhodes caught by Neil Broom for 77 then the rot really set in for the visitors as the next four batsmen were all bowled.

Justin Austin-Smellie was the first to register a first ball duck and he was promptly followed by Jeetan Patel and Illi Tugaga, before Mark Gillespie kept out the next delivery only to fall to the last ball of the over.

Wagner returned after lunch to complete his demolition job as tailender Andy McKay became the fifth batsman bowled to end Wellington's innings at 148.

Wagner completed the innings with career-best figures of six for 36, lifting his season's haul to 48 wickets.

The previous best performance in an over by a bowler came in the summer of 1929-30 when Englishman Maurice Allom took four wickets in five balls against New Zealand at Lancaster Park in Christchurch.

- NZPA