Usually speaking, when we talk about Isle of Man, we talk of the boundless beauty of its wondrous landscape and the countless Instagrammable sights the place situated between Ireland, Great Britain and the Irish Sea has.
But then cricket has its rather marvellous ways of knocking on our doors of attention, doesn’t it?
Some stories in cricket are built on precocious talent. Others, like Joanne Hicks’, are built on patience, perseverance and the belief that it is never too late to make an impact.
The Isle of Man cricketer only began her international journey at the age of 47, an age by which most players have long since called time on their careers. Yet four years later, Hicks has produced a record that places her in a class of her own.
Playing against Greece Women at the Moara Vlasiei Cricket Ground in Romania, the experienced right-arm off-spinner delivered a masterclass with the ball.
Cutting through the batting order, Hicks returned figures of five for 10 — the best of her T20 International career and her third five-wicket haul in the format.
Her spell helped dismiss Greece for just 52 in 15 overs, leaving the Isle of Man with a modest chase that was completed for the loss of only one wicket inside the Powerplay.
The performance was significant for far more than just the match result.
At 51 years and 173 days, Hicks became the first cricketer — male or female — to claim a five-wicket haul in international cricket after the age of 50.
In doing so, she surpassed a record that had stood for almost a century.
The previous mark belonged to Australian left-arm spinner Bert Ironmonger, who claimed a five-wicket haul against South Africa in 1932 at 49 years and 314 days. Ironmonger enjoyed a remarkable late-career run and remains one of cricket’s most fascinating figures, finishing his Test career at 50 years and 327 days after taking four five-wicket hauls in 14 Tests.
For Hicks, age has become little more than a number.
In fact, this is not the first time she has rewritten the record books.
During a six-day stretch in 2024, she claimed five-wicket hauls against both Greece and Malta, becoming the oldest woman to achieve the feat at 49 years and 168 days.
Now, with another landmark performance to her name, Hicks has once again shown that cricket’s record books are never beyond rewriting.
