England pacers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue created a memorable moment during the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley.
Both bowlers claimed five wickets in Pakistan’s first innings. They then found a unique solution for sharing the Test ball.
The pair asked ground staff to cut the match ball into two halves. Each bowler kept one half as a personal souvenir of their achievement.
The unusual idea came after both bowlers completed five-wicket hauls. Traditionally, bowlers often keep the match ball after taking five wickets.
Tongue explained that Robinson suggested splitting the ball. Ground staff then carried out the unusual request.
Robinson later showed his half of the Test ball during a media conference. He said the unusual keepsake would help them remember the special occasion.
The achievement was particularly significant because two England bowlers had taken five wickets each. It was England’s first such instance since Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar achieved the feat against Pakistan in 2006.
Robinson finished with impressive figures of 5-51 from 18 overs. Tongue claimed 5-46 from 9.1 overs.
Their combined effort helped England dismiss Pakistan for only 171 runs. England then reached 112-2 by the close of play.
Pakistan’s strongest resistance came from Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq. Shafique scored 61, while Imam contributed 42.
However, Pakistan collapsed after reaching 117-3. The team lost its final seven wickets for just 54 runs.
The bowling performance also gave Joe Root an excellent start to his return as England Test captain. England won the toss and chose to field.
Robinson made an immediate impact by taking a wicket with the opening delivery. He eventually completed his fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
The performance marked another positive step in Robinson’s return to international cricket. He had recently returned to England’s Test team after more than two years away.
His comeback followed concerns about his fitness. Robinson had previously been left out of the team during that period.
The 32-year-old returned against New Zealand at Lord’s earlier this summer. He also claimed seven wickets in that match.
Robinson now has 88 Test wickets at an average of 21.25. His latest performance further strengthened his case for a regular place in England’s attack.
For Tongue, the five-wicket haul also provided a major contribution. His pace helped England finish Pakistan’s innings quickly.
The unusual decision to divide the Test ball gave both bowlers a lasting reminder of their shared achievement. It also added a memorable story to England’s dominant opening day.
The ground staff completed the unusual task within minutes. Both bowlers were then able to take home part of the historic match ball.
The rare moment has attracted attention among cricket fans. It provided a light-hearted ending to an otherwise dominant performance by England’s bowling attack.
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