Isle of Man cricketer Jo Hicks broke a world record that has stood for nearly a century last Thursday.

The Cronkbourne spin bowler became the oldest player to claim a five-wicket haul in an international fixture when she helped the islanders to beat Greece in last week’s Continental Cup.

The 51-year-old Ballakermeen school teacher is two years older than the previous record holder, Australian Bert Ironmonger.

Ironmonger was 49 when, in 1932, he took five-wicket hauls in both innings as South Africa were beaten in Melbourne.

Hicks was already the oldest woman to claim a five-wicket haul in an international, after claiming back-to-back five-wicket hauls in 2024.

The Isle of Man were beaten finalists in the tournament that was held in Romania.

After a three-wicket win over the hosts, the Manx secured a commanding nine-wicket win over Greece in their second group match.

The islanders followed this up with a 27-run win over Norway on Saturday to top their group and seal a place in the competition’s final against Türkiye the following day.

Türkiye won the toss and elected to field, restricting the islanders to 117 from their 20 overs.

Captain Lucy Barnett hit more than half those runs, the Finch Hill opener knocking a bright and breezy 59 runs from 34 balls.

In response, Türkiye knocked off the reply with five overs to spare.

Barnett was later named the competition’s most valuable player having plundered 257 runs during the course of the tournament, in addition to picking up four wickets.

Reflecting on the tournament an Isle of Man Cricket spokesperson said: ‘It was a fantastic effort by all the players to make it to the Continental Cup final. There were six debutants, seven players under the age of 17, plus a few of the players feeling under the weather and a number having not played in temperatures like that before. Well done to all.’