How Joanne Broke 94-Year-Old Cricket Record at 51

News Desk

Islamabad: A 51-year-old cricketer has rewritten the record books, proving that international cricket can still produce remarkable milestones well beyond the conventional age of professional sport.

Joanne Hicks of the Isle of Man claimed five wickets for just 10 runs against Greece in a Women’s T20 International, becoming the oldest player ever to take a five-wicket haul in international cricket.

Hicks was 51 years and 171 days old when she produced the record-breaking spell. Her bowling helped restrict Greece to just 52 runs in 15 overs before the Isle of Man chased down the target in only six overs to complete a convincing victory.

The achievement ended a record that had stood for 94 years. Before Hicks, Australia’s Bert Ironmonger held the distinction after taking five wickets against South Africa in a Test match in 1932, aged 49 years and 314 days.

Hicks’ achievement is particularly striking given that she only made her international debut at the age of 47. The right-arm off-spinner has since become a key figure for the Isle of Man, taking 36 wickets in 29 T20 Internationals at an impressive economy rate of 4.12.

The latest five-wicket haul was not her first record-breaking performance. Hicks had previously become the oldest player to take a five-wicket haul in women’s international cricket, with both of her earlier five-wicket performances coming when she was 49.

Her latest performance, however, has taken the record to another level. By passing the previous men’s and women’s benchmarks, Hicks has become the oldest player in either category to claim a five-wicket haul in international cricket.

She has also become the first player in international cricket history to achieve a five-wicket haul after turning 50.

Hicks’ record is more than a statistical milestone. It is a striking reminder that age does not necessarily have to mark the end of a sporting career, and that some of cricket’s most memorable moments can come from players who refuse to follow the conventional timeline.