Introduction
- A double hat-trick in cricket is a instance where a bowler takes four wickets in four consecutive deliveries.
- A hat-trick is a instance where a bowler takes three wickets on three consecutive deliveries.
- Many cricket bowlers have taken hat-tricks in cricket Tests, One Day Internationals or T20 internationals. But taking a double hat-trick in international cricket, be it Tests, T20s, or ODIs is a rare event.
- Taking four consecutive wickets in four consecutive deliveries requires a extraordinary skill along with talent and temperament. A hat-trick itself is rare, requiring precision with bowling skills.
- A hat-trick itself is a rarest feats in the sport and only handful of bowlers have ever achieved it.
| Term | Wickets Required | Consecutive Deliveries | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hat-trick | 3 | 3 | Rare |
| Double Hat-trick | 4 | 4 | Extremely rare |
Famous Double Hat-trick Instances
Lasith Malinga
- Lasith Malinga achieved a double hat-trick against South Africa in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup.
- He dismissed Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis and Makhaya Ntini in four consecutive balls.
- The first delivery was a straight yorker, on which Lasith Malinga dismissed Shaun Pollock.
- Andrew Hall being the second scalp of Lasith Malinga, of a full delivery, caught in the covers. Jacques Kallis was dismissed by Lasith Malinga of the hat-trick ball caught behind the wicket of a full delivery outside the off stump.
- This was indeed a marvelous, achievement by Malinga in the 2007, ICC Cricket World Cup.
Rashid Khan
- In a T20 against Ireland in 2019, Rashid Khan took four wickets in four balls.
- His victims were Kevin O’ Brien, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Simi Singh.
- This performance helped Afghanistan secure a dominant win.
Curtis Campher
- In the 2021, T20 World Cup against the Netherlands, Campher stunned everyone by taking four wickets in four balls.
- He dismissed Colin Ackerman, Ryan ten Doeschate, Scott Edwards, Scott Edwards, and Roelof van der Merwe.
- This was the first double hat-trick in a T20 World Cup.
What can be done to get Hat-tricks and double hat-tricks?
- To get back to back wickets in any cricketing format, in an over requires to back one’s strength as a bowler.
- Wasim Akram of Pakistan has taken most number of hat-tricks, used his swing bowling to great effect against top batters.
- Getting wickets with the new ball was his strategy against world class openers. Also getting the ball to reverse, with the old one was a plan to get batters out cheaply. His banana swing got him back to back wickets, on a consistent basis.
- His soul mate, the pacer, Waqar Younis was a famous reverse swing bowler. Both were a nightmare for the 90’s batters, making them world class bowlers.
- Australia’s Glen McGrath was one of the most effective new ball bowlers in Tests and ODI’s. He too picked up important wickets, of top order batters of cricketing nations, around the globe, dominating for years.
- If you look at 90’s great attacks the names of Curtly Ambrose, and Courtney Walsh of West Indies cannot be forgotten.
- A Hat-trick or a double Hat-trick breaks the backbone of a team in any format. If a top order or a middle order collapses with 3 to 4 wickets, it becomes difficult to make a comeback in the game.
- All these bowlers which I have named have always backed their strengths on a consistent basis with Out swing and In swingers as major weapons. They have the capabilities of great yorkers and even slower ones. They always used to run in with great rhythm and consistency over the years, making them one of the highest wicket takers.
- A bouncer is always crucial, if you consider a fast bowler’s spell. The practice of bowling yorkers, and slower balls under pressure is a priority, in death overs.
- You can simulate hat-tricks scenarios nets-set up three batters and plan dismissals. Work with analysts to identify opposition weaknesses before matches.
- Consistency in basics, mastery of variations and mental toughness increase the probability of hat-tricks and double hat-tricks, but they rather than routine achievements.
- A rarity of hat-tricks and double hat-tricks shows that while skill and preparations help, luck and match situations play a huge role.
Timeline for the Double Hat-tricks in Cricket
