Joanne Hicks, 51, Breaks 94-Year-Old Record as Oldest Bowler to Take International Five-Wicket Haul
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At 51 years and 171 days old, Isle of Man off-spinner Joanne Hicks has become the oldest cricketer male or female to take a five-wicket haul in international cricket.
Hicks reportedly achieved the historic milestone against Greece during the Women’s Continental Cup in Romania, returning match-winning figures of 5 for 10 in her four overs. Her lethal spell guided the Isle of Man to a dominant nine-wicket win on Thursday.
Greece Skittled Out for 52
Electing to field first, the Isle of Man tore through the Greek batting line-up, dismissing them for a paltry 52 in 15 overs. Hicks led the destruction, claiming four of her five wickets via bowled or lbw. Her victims included Lydia Katsimari, Sofia-Nefeli Georgota, Aggeliki-Ioanna Argyropoulou, Theodora Parisi-Mesimeri, and Alekcandra Kourkoulou. Argyropoulou was Greece's top scorer with 17 runs off 36 balls, while Georgina Ford backed Hicks with 2 for 9 as per reports.
The Isle of Man knocked off the target with ease, reaching 56 for 1 in just six overs with 84 balls remaining. Libby Moore made an unbeaten 24 and Grace Cottier scored 19. Hicks was named Player of the Match.
Erasing Bert Ironmonger's 1932 Benchmark
Born on March 9, 1975, Hicks is the first bowler in international cricket to pick up a five-for after turning 50. In doing so, she broke a world record that had stood for more than 94 years.
The previous mark was reportedly held by Australian left-arm spinner Bert Ironmonger, who took 5 for 6 and 6 for 18 against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1932 at the age of 49.
Thursday’s performance marked the third time Hicks has reportedly claimed a five-wicket haul in Women’s Twenty20 Internationals (WT20Is), matching her career-best spell.
In August 2024, aged 49 years and 162 days, she took 5 for 10 against Malta. Six days later, aged 49 years and 168 days, she collected 5 for 22 against Greece, setting the record for the oldest woman to pick up an international five-for.
Hicks made her WT20I debut in her late 40s and has since established herself as a core member of the Isle of Man bowling unit over the past three years.
