Isle of Man off-spinner Joanne Hicks has become the oldest bowler, male or female, to claim a five-wicket haul. At 51 years and 173 days old, Hicks recorded career-best figures of 5/10 against Greece Women in the Women’s Continental Cup 2026 at the Moara Vlasiei Cricket Ground in Romania.
The spin bowler, who made her international debut at the age of 47, dismantled Greece’s batting lineup to bowl them out for just 52 runs in 15 overs, helping the Isle of Man Women secure a comfortable nine-wicket victory with 84 balls to spare in their Group B clash of the Women’s Continental Cup.
Joanne Hicks Breaks Bert Ironmonger’s 96-Year-Old Record
Hicks created international cricket history with a five-wicket haul against Greece Women at the Moara Vlasiei Cricket Ground in Romania. The Isle of Man off-spinner became the oldest bowler, male or female, to take five wickets in international cricket.
Hicks finished with career-best figures of 5/10 in four overs. She also claimed her third five-wicket haul in T20I cricket as Greece struggled to build any momentum against the Isle of Man bowling attack.
Hicks broke Australian left-arm spinner Bert Ironmonger's previous record after taking a five-wicket haul against South Africa in 1932 at 49 years and 314 days. Ironmonger took 5/6 and 6/18 in the same Test. He finished his 14-Test career in 1933 at 50 years and 327 days.
Hicks had already made history among women’s cricketers. In 2024, she became the oldest woman to claim a five-wicket haul in international cricket at 49 years and 168 days.
Oldest Bowlers to Bag Five-Wicket Hauls in International Cricket:
| Age | Player | Team | Opponent | Format | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51y 173d | Joanne Hicks | Isle of Man | Greece | Women’s T20I | 2026* |
| 49y 314d | Bert Ironmonger | Australia | South Africa | Men’s Test (2) | 1932 |
| 49y 234d | Bert Ironmonger | Australia | South Africa | Men’s Test | 1931 |
| 49y 168d | Joanne Hicks | Isle of Man | Greece | Women’s T20I | 2024 |
| 49y 162d | Joanne Hicks | Isle of Man | Malta | Women’s T20I | 2026* |
Joanne Hicks Runs Through Greece’s Batting Order
Greece Women lost early wickets after Lucy Barnett dismissed Adamantia Makri and Aggeliki Savvani. Georgina Ford then removed Maria Polimeri, who was caught by Joanne Hicks, leaving Greece struggling at 19/3.
Aggeliki-Ioanna Argyropoulou offered some resistance with 17 off 36 balls. However, Hicks removed Lydia Katsimari for four before dismissing Sofia-nefeli Georgota for one.
Hicks then completed her five-wicket haul by removing Argyropoulou and Theodora Parisi-mesimeri. Maria Penna was later run out as Greece were bowled out for 52 in 15 overs.
Georgina Ford took 2 wickets for 9 runs in three overs. Barnett also impressed with 1/8 from four overs, while Amelia Griffiths took one wicket. The Isle of Man attack kept Greece under constant pressure throughout the innings.
Isle of Man Women lost Lucy Barnett for four early in the chase. However, the setback had little impact as Libby Moore and Grace Cottier quickly took control of the innings. Moore remained unbeaten on 24 from 20 balls, hitting three fours. Cottier also stayed unbeaten, scoring 19 from 15 deliveries with three boundaries.
The pair added an unbeaten 51-run partnership for the second wicket. They took Isle of Man from 5/1 to 56/1 in only six overs. Isle of Man reached the revised target of 53 inside the Powerplay.
Also read: ECB seeks UK government help after PCB threatens Lord’s Test pullout over Imran Khan interview
