It is common knowledge in the cricket world that hat-tricks and five-for-five are rare and exceptional, but the “out of this world” feat of taking six wickets in six consecutive balls is a different story altogether. Until 2026, this incredible feat has not been achieved in international first-class cricket, while in club, youth, and domestic cricket, this is a regular occurrence that provides incredible moments that leave fans in awe. From greenhorns to old hands, the bowlers who have pulled off this feat have written their names in the more unusual pages of cricket history.
The Power of Six Wickets in Six Balls
In each over, see which end as wickets fall, that is six balls, six dismissals, a full blowout of the other team’s bat, which is what we are used to reporting in cricket as bowler achievements like five for five or hat tricks, but this very rare achievement goes well beyond what is usual. It is so rare, and the turnaround is so drastic, that it is a true cricket oddity that is seen at club and school levels all over.
Historic First Feat: Aled Carey’s Best Hit
The very first recorded instance of this incredible achievement in bowling was done by Aled Carey, an Australian club cricketer, who amazed the spectators with his display of taking six wickets in six balls. Carey’s performance, which included clean bowls, catches, and dismissals, saw the batting side put out in record time and also proved that in cricket, we see the unexpected at any stage, not just from the international players.
Matt Rowe’s Break Record
Six balls, six wickets. Rowe’s perfect over saw him take out of the ordinary with his varied set of dismissals in what was a low-scoring school match, which he turned into a piece of cricket history. These types of performances are what put forward the idea that talent and skill can outdo what is expected.
Oliver Whitehouse
Perhaps which entry is the most surprising is that of Oliver Whitehouse, who at the age of 12 achieved the feat in a club match in England. Whitehouse’s match saw him out for every delivery, which he took down to get a wicket, which displays not only talent but also a poise that defies his age. Incidents like this put into perspective cricket’s beautiful element of the unexpected, which in turn can make a youth into a historical figure with one single performance.
Virandeep Singh
While atypical in domestic club play, what we saw from Virandeep Singh in leading the bowling attack for a team that at the time was from Nepal did reach the audience via television. Singh’s performance, which included the amazing feat of taking six wickets in consecutive balls during a telecast, went down in cricket broadcasting history. This achievement, which thrilled fans, also put the rare bowling talents of that calibre on the global stage, thus inspiring an entire generation of young players.
Harshit Seth
In the UAE youth circuit, Harshit Seth put on a brilliant bowling performance, which saw him take six wickets in six balls in an under-19 league match. At the age of 16, which is very young indeed, he broke down a very good batting unit with precision and guile, which in turn proves that this sort of rare bowling achievement is not the preserve of professional cricketers alone.
Why This Record Is So Rare
In cricket’s vast history, which sees thousands of matches played annually, no bowler has achieved this in international play. The physical requirements, tactical aspect of the game and random element of wicket fall, which makes the six in six balls record, a mix of pure skill and luck. Also in club and junior matches, which see very variable playing conditions, bowlers still pursue this ultimate bowling achievement.
The Fascination With Unbelievable Bowling Feats
Fans enjoy cricket, which is a sport that plays out drama in every single ball bowled. While we see in the headlines records like fastest fifties, hat tricks, and century stands, what also draws in the fans are the rare and almost legendary bowling achievements, like a bowler taking six wickets in six balls. At the drop of a hat, fans are on the edge of their seats when a bowler goes to the wicket with a chance to take multiple wickets in an over, living in hope that what is about to transpire is something out of the ordinary and unforgettable.
