Seamer Randell joins Derbyshire for rest of season

Brett Randell in action for Somerset in 2024Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Brett Randell has taken more than 100 first-class wickets in New Zealand domestic cricket

ByAndrew Aloia
BBC Sport, East Midlands
  • Published

Derbyshire have signed history-making seam bowler Brett Randell for the remainder of the County Championship season.

The 31-year-old New Zealander shot to global prominence earlier this year when he became the first bowler in the 254-year history of first-class cricket to take five wickets in five balls.

Randell's milestone haul came in March while playing for Central Stags against Northern Districts in New Zealand's Plunket Shield.

He returns to the English game as an overseas recruit after featuring for Somerset in 2024, and slots into the Derbyshire side as a replacement for Muhammad Abbas who is away on international duty with Pakistan.

"Brett has that quality, he's an experienced seamer who will complement our group really nicely as we challenge for promotion in the final six games," Derbyshire head of cricket Mickey Arthur told the club website., external

Derbyshire are fifth in the County Championship Division Two table with three wins and four defeats from their eight matches so far.