Archive · 20 Aug 2026
England Bowlers Split Cricket Ball After Twin Five-Wicket Hauls
Two England bowlers, Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson, each took five wickets against Pakistan.
Their bowling helped dismiss Pakistan for 171 runs.
Because both bowlers had a special five-wicket performance, they wanted to share the cricket ball.
They asked the ground staff to cut the ball in half.
This gave each player a piece to remember the achievement.
England then scored 112 runs while losing two wickets.
Joe Root and Jordan Cox were still batting when play ended.
England were 59 runs behind Pakistan at that point.
Josh Tongue took 5-46 and Ollie Robinson claimed 5-51 as Pakistan were dismissed for 171.
The pair split the match ball in half after both completed five-wicket hauls.
It was the first time since 2006 that two England bowlers achieved five-wicket hauls in the same innings.
England reached 112/2 at stumps, trailing Pakistan by 59 runs in the first innings.
Joe Root and Jordan Cox shared an unbeaten 64-run partnership for England’s third wicket.
- Who
- England bowlers Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson took five-wicket hauls against Pakistan.
- What
- Tongue and Robinson helped dismiss Pakistan for 171 and split the match ball after both claimed five wickets.
- When
- During the match, after Pakistan’s first innings and at the close of play.
- Where
- Leeds, with England playing at Headingley.
- Why
- The bowlers split the ball because both had taken five-wicket hauls in the same innings, a rare achievement they wanted to commemorate.
- Pakistan total
- 171 all out
- Josh Tongue figures
- 5-46
- Ollie Robinson figures
- 5-51
- England score at stumps
- 112/2
- England deficit
- 59 runs
- Unbeaten partnership
- Joe Root and Jordan Cox shared 64 runs for the third wicket.