Double Hat Trick in Cricket

Cricket is a game of many surprises. It never shies away from giving its fans many memorable performances over the years. Sometimes, we see some batsmen play some of the most incredible innings. Then, sometimes fans are treated to some brilliant bowling performances. In this article, we will look at the occasion when a bowler went on to pick up a double hat-trick in a match. The most rare feat for any bowler in this game is taking a hat-trick. Because it is not easy to dismiss three different batters on three consecutive deliveries.

Many big bowlers and legends of the game haven’t had even one single hat-trick in their entire career. But on the other hand, there are a few who have even taken double hat-tricks in their careers.

A double hat-trick is a moment when a bowler takes four wickets off four successive deliveries. In the history of the game, there are five instances where double hat-tricks have been registered, so let’s check.

5. Jason Holder (WI) vs England in 2022

The most recent instance of a double hat-trick came in January 2022. It was the 5th T20I match between England and West Indies at Bridgetown. Batting first, West Indies made 179/4 in their 20 overs. In reply, England looked good to reach the total. But a double hat-trick by former West Indies skipper Jason Holder denied them the win. It came in the 20th over of the chase. He dismissed Chris Jordan, Sam Billings, Adil Rashid, and Saqib Mahmood off four consecutive balls to register this feat. He also became the first West Indian to do so.

4. Curtis Campher (IRE) vs Netherlands in 2021

Next on the list is South Africa-born Ireland all-rounder Curtis Campher. He is also the only Irish bowler to take a hat-trick for his country in international T20s. His double hat-trick came against the Netherlands in the 2021 T20 World Cup in Abu Dhabi. It was the 3rd game of the tournament and he dismissed Colin Ackermann, Ryan ten Doeschate, Scott Edwards, and Roelof van der Merwe on four consecutive balls to register this unique feat of double hat-trick. Ireland won that game by 7 wickets, chasing the target of 107.

3. Lasith Malinga (SL) vs New Zealand in 2019

Lasith Malinga is the only player in history who has taken 5 hat-tricks across formats. Two of which are double hat-tricks. His T20I double hat-trick came against New Zealand in 2019 at Pallekele. Sri Lanka made 125/8 in their 20 overs and needed a special effort to restrict New Zealand and that’s what happened. Malinga dismissed Colin Munro, Hamish Rutherford, Colin de Grandhomme, and Ross Taylor off four consecutive balls in the third over of the chase to break New Zealand’s back. He ended up with a figure of 5/6 in four overs and the Kiwis got all out for 88 runs.

2. Rashid Khan (AGH) vs Ireland in 2019

The first ever double hat-trick in T20 internationals is registered under the name of Rashid Khan. It came in 2019, against Ireland in Dehradun. Batting first, Afghanistan made 210/7 in their first innings. In reply, Ireland also batted well and were in a good position at 153/3 in 16 overs. But Rashid came out to deliver a memorable spell. He dismissed Kevin O’Brien, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, and Simi Singh on four consecutive deliveries to restrict Ireland to 178/8 in 20 overs to win the match for his team. Rashid ended up with a figure of 5/27.

1. Lasith Malinga (SL) vs South Africa in 2007

The first ever double hat-trick and only in ODI came in the 2007 ODI World Cup. It was Lasith Malinga who registered this feat against South Africa in Providence. It was the 26th match of the tournament and Sri Lanka gave a target of 210 to the Proteas. South Africa were going great and were in a good position. They were at 206/5 in 44.4 overs, needing just 4 runs to win with five wickets in hand. But then, Malinga totally changed the game. He dismissed Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, and Makhaya Ntini off four consecutive balls to bring Sri Lanka back into the game. From 206/5, South Africa came in at 207/9. But in the end, the Proteas won by just one run.

List of Double Hat trick in Cricket (ODI, T20, Test Combined)