Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue make history with half a ball

LEEDS: England fast bowlers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue produced a memorable opening day against Pakistan at Headingley—and then found an equally unusual way to celebrate their outstanding performances.

After taking five wickets each, the two pacemen decided to split the match ball in half so both could keep a piece of the special souvenir.

Robinson claimed 5-51 while Tongue returned impressive figures of 5-46 as England dismissed Pakistan for just 171 after choosing to bowl first. The pair shared all 10 wickets, leaving Pakistan’s batting lineup unable to withstand England’s relentless pace attack.

Normally, a bowler who takes five wickets in a Test innings gets to keep the match ball. With both Robinson and Tongue reaching the milestone on the same day, however, the teammates came up with a solution that was anything but traditional.

Robinson revealed that the idea emerged as the two walked off the field.

“We were walking off, and I was like, to Tonguey, I think we should split it,” he said.

Tongue immediately agreed, turning an already memorable day into something neither bowler is likely to forget.

The Headingley groundstaff then took on the unusual task of cutting the ball into two pieces, allowing both bowlers to take home half of the prized match souvenir.

“It’s one of those things, you don’t have too many half-of-cricket-balls, so it would be something we never forget,” Robinson said.

Tongue confirmed that Robinson had suggested the idea after both bowlers completed their five-wicket hauls.

“Robbo said we can split the ball in half. The groundstaff have kindly done that. It’s the first time I’ve seen that happen. I’m sure I’ll be putting that up somewhere,” Tongue told BBC Test Match Special.

Their joint achievement was only the 16th time in men’s Test cricket that two England bowlers have taken five wickets apiece in the same innings. The previous occasion came in 2006, when Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar achieved the feat against Pakistan at Old Trafford.

Robinson’s performance was particularly impressive. He struck with the very first delivery of the Test, dismissing Pakistan’s Azan Awais and becoming the first England bowler to achieve such a feat at home in almost two decades.

He then removed four of Pakistan’s top five batters before Tongue tore through the lower order.

Pakistan’s 171 all out gave England a strong start under returning Test captain Joe Root. England finished the day on 112-2, just 59 runs behind Pakistan’s first innings.

With the hosts already in control, the split match ball became the perfect symbol of a remarkable day for England’s two fast bowlers.