LIAM DURKIN
CRICKET
LVDCL
By LIAM DURKIN
YOUNG cricketer Baylee Beecher experienced a great thrill at the weekend, taking a hat-trick.
Playing for Thorpdale-Raiders in C Grade against Latrobe at Maryvale Reserve No. 2, Beecher saw the Sharks close at 9/159 after taking the last three wickets to fall.
The Sharks were in a pretty good position before Beecher was introduced into the attack.
Coming on second-change, he started fairly innocuously, delivering a maiden first up, and was then hit for four off his second.
Little was anyone to know what the third over had in store.
Beecher went dot, one, one and then secured his first wicket, bowling a batsman.
A catch was taken off the next ball, meaning it was time for a hat-trick ball.
Sure enough, another catch presented itself, which was duly taken.
Beecher ended with figures of 3/6 off 2.5 overs, as Thorpdale-Raiders eventually won by six wickets.
Perhaps fittingly, the hat-trick was taken at the home of former Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle – still the last Australian to take a Test hat-trick.
A hat-trick is always a memorable occasion for the player concerned, as well as their teammates.
They can be hard to get as well. Local journeyman quick Chris Johnson estimated he had been on at least 20 hat-tricks before finally getting one in 2016/17.
