No, Jimmy Anderson did not take six wickets in six balls in a single over!

Subscribe to our WhatsApp Channel

Cricket holds a significant place in Sri Lanka's sporting culture, often dominating discussions on social media platforms. However, alongside genuine conversations, there is a notable presence of altered and misleading content that spreads rapidly within these online communities. Despite its popularity, the prevalence of misleading information underscores the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking when engaging with cricket-related content online in Sri Lanka.

Social Media Posts

A video circulating on social media claims to show English fast bowler Jimmy Anderson achieving a remarkable feat in international cricket by taking six wickets consecutively in six balls during a match against New Zealand.

FB | Archived

Fact Check

We found the original video and it depicts Anderson's exceptional performance during a match between England and New Zealand in 2008. In the first innings of the match, England scored 364 runs, after which New Zealand began their innings. Anderson indeed played a significant role in this match, taking a total of seven wickets for 43 runs against New Zealand in their first inning. However, he did not achieve the claimed feat of taking six wickets in six balls within a single over.

In fact, Anderson's wickets were spread across multiple overs, with his sequence of wickets spanning from the first to the sixth wicket of New Zealand's innings. The sixth wicket, in particular, was marked when New Zealand's score reached 93/6. Anderson eventually claimed the final wicket of the innings when New Zealand's score stood at 123.

While Anderson's performance was undoubtedly impressive, it did not align with the viral claim of six wickets in six balls in a single over.

Furthermore, upon further investigation, no instances were found in international cricket where a bowler has achieved such a feat. The claim made in the viral video is unsubstantiated and appears to be the result of misleading editing.

It's worth noting that while bowlers have taken five wickets within a single over in first-class or interstate cricket matches, no such occurrences have been recorded in international cricket. A record about this on the Guinness World Record Book can be referred to here.

Players including Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga from Sri Lanka have notably taken four wickets in one over in international cricket. A report can be referred to here.

Follow us and stay up to date with our latest fact checks.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Google News | TikTok

Conclusion

In conclusion, the viral video claiming Jimmy Anderson's six-wicket haul in six balls during a single over is false. The performance depicted in the video is a misrepresentation of the events that occurred during the match between England and New Zealand in 2008.