How Many Wickets Constitute A Double Hat-Trick?

Cricket is full of exciting moments, but nothing beats the thrill of watching a bowler take wickets one after another.

You might have heard about hat-tricks, but do you know about something even more special called a double hat-trick?

If you’re wondering how many wickets constitute a double hat-trick, you’re in the right place.

This amazing cricket achievement is so rare that only six bowlers in the entire history of international cricket have managed to pull it off.

How Many Wickets Constitute A Double Hat-Trick?

Let’s dive deep into this incredible feat and learn everything about it.

How Many Wickets Constitute A Double Hat-Trick? – A Quick Answer

A double hat-trick requires exactly four wickets in four consecutive deliveries. It’s like a regular hat-trick but with one extra wicket added to make it even more special and difficult to achieve.

Here’s the simple breakdown:

• Regular hat-trick: 3 wickets in 3 balls
• Double hat-trick: 4 wickets in 4 balls

The bowler must dismiss four different batsmen in four balls that come one right after the other. There can be no gap between these dismissals – each delivery must result in a wicket.

What is a Double Hat-Trick?

A double hat-trick is one of cricket’s most extraordinary achievements. When a bowler manages to get four batsmen out in four consecutive deliveries, they have accomplished something that very few cricketers ever achieve.

To understand this better, let’s first look at what makes it so special:

Key Features of a Double Hat-Trick:

• Must happen in four consecutive deliveries
• Each delivery must result in a wicket
• No runs or dot balls allowed between the four wickets
• It can happen across different overs
• Can occur in any format of cricket (Test, ODI, T20)

Why is it Called a “Double” Hat-Trick?

The name comes from the fact that it extends a regular hat-trick by one more wicket. Think of it as a hat-trick plus one. While a regular hat-trick is already very difficult to achieve, adding one more consecutive wicket makes it exponentially harder.

Different Ways to Achieve a Double Hat-Trick:

Method	Description	Example
Same Over	All 4 wickets in the same over	Balls 1, 2, 3, 4 of an over
Across Overs	Starting from the end of one over, continuing to the next	Last 2 balls of over + first 2 balls of next over
Match Situations	It can happen at any point in the match	During powerplay, middle overs, or death overs

The Elite Club of Double Hat-Trick Achievers

Only six bowlers in the entire history of international cricket have achieved this remarkable feat. Let’s meet these cricket legends and learn about their incredible performances.

Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

Lasith Malinga holds a very special place in cricket history. He’s not just the first bowler to achieve a double hat-trick in international cricket, but he’s also the only one to do it twice!

First Double Hat-Trick (2007 ODI World Cup vs South Africa):

• Match situation: Sri Lanka needed to defend a challenging total
• Victims: Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, and Makhaya Ntini
• Impact: Nearly won the match for Sri Lanka from an impossible position
• Bowling style: His famous yorker deliveries were the key

Second Double Hat-Trick (2019 T20I vs New Zealand):

• Made history again by becoming the first to achieve two double hat-tricks
• Showed his consistency and skill even in the later stages of his career
• Used his experience and slower ball variations

What Made Malinga Special:

• His unique sling-arm action confused batsmen
• Master of yorker deliveries at crucial moments
• Ability to perform under pressure in big matches
• Perfect line and length in death overs

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

The Afghan spin wizard Rashid Khan made his mark by becoming the first bowler to achieve a double hat-trick in T20I cricket.

Historic Achievement (2019 vs Ireland):

• Victims: Kevin O’Brien, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, and Simi Singh
• Final figures: 5/27 in his spell
• Format: T20 International
• Bowling type: Leg-spin with variations

Rashid’s Bowling Strengths:

• Lightning-fast leg-spin delivery
• Difficult to read googly (wrong’un)
• Consistent line and length
• Ability to bowl in all phases of T20 cricket

Curtis Campher (Ireland)

Curtis Campher achieved his double hat-trick during the 2021 T20 World Cup, making it even more special as it happened on cricket’s biggest stage.

World Cup Magic (2021 vs Netherlands):

• Victims: Colin Ackermann, Ryan ten Doeschate, Scott Edwards, and Roelof van der Merwe
• Tournament: T20 World Cup (global stage)
• Impact: Helped Ireland secure a crucial victory
• Bowling style: Medium-pace with subtle variations

Key Points About Campher’s Achievement:

• Happened during a major tournament
• Showed nerves of steel on the big stage
• Used a change of pace effectively
• Proved that associate nations can produce world-class performances

Jason Holder (West Indies)

The tall West Indian all-rounder Jason Holder achieved his double hat-trick in a thrilling finish against England in 2022.

Match-Winning Performance (2022 vs England):

• Victims: Chris Jordan, Sam Billings, Adil Rashid, and Saqib Mahmood
• Situation: Final over of the match
• Result: Won the match for the West Indies
• Bowling type: Fast-medium with excellent line

What Made This Special:

• Happened in the final over of the match
• Under tremendous pressure to defend runs
• Used his height and bounce effectively
• Showed captain’s courage in crucial moments

Waseem Yaqoob (Lesotho)

Waseem Yaqoob made history in 2024 during the ICC World Cup Sub-regional Africa Qualifier, delivering one of the most dominant bowling performances ever seen.

Incredible Figures (2024 vs Mali):

• Overall bowling figures: 6/18 in just 4 overs
• Double hat-trick victims: Amara Nimaga, Dramane Berthe, Mahamadou Malle, and Yacouba Konate
• Match result: Lesotho won by 112 runs (Mali bowled out for just 36)
• Target: Mali was chasing 148

Record-Breaking Performance:

• Most economical bowling figures with a double hat-trick
• Helped bundle out the entire team for 36 runs
• Showed that cricket talent exists in all corners of the world
• Made Lesotho cricket proud on the international stage

Hernan Fennell (Argentina)

The most recent addition to this elite club, Hernan Fennell achieved his double hat-trick in 2024 during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Americas Qualifier.

Latest Achievement (2024 vs Cayman Islands):

• Tournament: T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier
• Proved that cricket is growing globally
• Showed excellent bowling skills under pressure
• Added Argentina to the list of countries with double hat-trick achievers

The Significance and Rarity

Understanding why double hat-tricks are so rare helps us appreciate these achievements even more.

Why Are Double Hat-Tricks So Rare?

• Statistical Probability: The chances of getting 4 wickets in 4 balls are extremely low
• Pressure Situations: Usually happen during crucial match moments
• Batsman Awareness: After 2-3 wickets, batsmen become extra careful
• Bowling Accuracy: Requires perfect line and length for 4 consecutive deliveries
• Mental Strength: A Bowler must handle pressure and expectation

Factors That Make It Possible:

Factor	Description	Importance
Skill Level	Exceptional bowling ability	Very High
Match Situation	Pressure moments, tail-enders batting	High
Pitch Conditions	Helpful conditions for bowlers	Medium
Team Strategy	Field placements and captain’s support	Medium
Mental Toughness	Ability to handle pressure	Very High

Impact on Matches:

Most double hat-tricks have happened during game-changing moments:

• Malinga’s 2007 performance nearly won the match from an impossible position
• Holder’s achievement won the match in the final over
• Yaqoob’s bowling demolished the entire batting lineup
• Campher’s World Cup performance secured a crucial victory

FAQs:

• Q: How many wickets constitute a double hat-trick?

A: A double hat-trick requires exactly 4 wickets in 4 consecutive deliveries.

• Q: Can a double hat-trick happen across different overs?

A: Yes, it can happen across overs. For example, the last 2 balls of one over and the first 2 balls of the next over.

• Q: Has anyone achieved a triple hat-trick (5 wickets in 5 balls)?

A: No, no bowler has achieved 5 wickets in 5 consecutive deliveries in international cricket.

• Q: Which format of cricket has seen the most double hat-tricks?

A: T20 cricket has seen more double hat-tricks recently, but they have occurred in all formats.

• Q: Can a double hat-trick include run-outs or stumpings?

A: Yes, any method of dismissal counts as long as the bowler gets credit for the wicket.

• Q: Who was the first bowler to achieve a double hat-trick?

A: Lasith Malinga was the first bowler to achieve a double hat-trick in international cricket in 2007.

• Q: How rare are double hat-tricks compared to regular hat-tricks?

A: Double hat-tricks are much rarer. While hundreds of hat-tricks have been taken, only 6 double hat-tricks exist in international cricket.

• Q: Can a bowler take a double hat-trick in their first 4 balls of a match?

A: Theoretically, yes, but it has never happened in international cricket.

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• GodFather Of Cricket

Conclusion: Lasith Malinga is The First Bowler To Take a Double Hat Trick

The double hat-trick remains one of cricket’s most extraordinary and rare achievements.

With only six bowlers managing to accomplish this feat in the entire history of international cricket, it truly represents the pinnacle of bowling excellence.

Lasith Malinga deserves special recognition as the pioneer who first achieved this milestone in 2007, and his second double hat-trick in 2019 proved that it wasn’t just luck but pure skill and determination.

His sling-arm action and deadly yorkers made him a nightmare for batsmen in crucial moments.

Each of the six bowlers – Malinga, Rashid Khan, Curtis Campher, Jason Holder, Waseem Yaqoob, and Hernan Fennell – has contributed to cricket history in their unique way.

From World Cup stages to regional qualifiers, these achievements show that cricket excellence can emerge from anywhere in the world.

The significance of a double hat-trick goes beyond just the numbers. It represents:

• Mental toughness under extreme pressure
• Technical excellence in bowling
• The ability to perform when the team needs it most
• A moment that can change the entire course of a match

As cricket continues to evolve and grow globally, we might see more bowlers joining this elite club.

Until then, these six legends remain the only ones to have achieved what many consider impossible – taking 4 wickets in 4 consecutive deliveries.

For cricket fans and aspiring bowlers, the double hat-trick serves as the ultimate goal – a reminder that with skill, determination, and a bit of luck, even the most difficult achievements are possible in this beautiful game we all love.