Hat-Trick in Cricket: Taking Three Wickets in Three Balls
A hat-trick in cricket is when a bowler dismisses three batsmen with three consecutive deliveries, one of the sport's most celebrated bowling achievements.
What Is a Hat-Trick in Cricket?
A hat-trick occurs when a bowler takes three wickets with three successive deliveries. The deliveries do not need to be in the same over — the hat-trick can span two overs or even two innings in Test cricket, as long as the three wickets are on consecutive balls.
Can a Hat-Trick Span Overs or Innings?
- Yes — the last ball of one over and the first two balls of the next count
- In Tests, the last wicket of an innings and first two of the next inning count
- The balls must be consecutive with no extras, wides, or no-balls between wicket deliveries (those don't count as legal hat-trick balls)
Famous Hat-Tricks in Cricket
Some of the most celebrated hat-tricks in Test history include those by Peter Loader, Wasim Akram, and Stuart Broad. In World Cups, Chetan Sharma took the first-ever ODI World Cup hat-trick in 1987. Lasith Malinga is unique in taking multiple ODI hat-tricks, including 4 wickets in 4 balls.
Hat-Trick Ball Anticipation
When a bowler takes two wickets in two balls, the next delivery is called the 'hat-trick ball'. Fielders are repositioned, the crowd buzzes with anticipation, and the incoming batsman faces enormous pressure. This moment is one of cricket's most dramatic.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hat-trick in cricket?
A hat-trick is when a bowler takes three wickets with three consecutive legal deliveries.
Can a hat-trick span two overs?
Yes — the last ball of one over and first two balls of the next count as consecutive for hat-trick purposes.
Who has taken the most hat-tricks in ODIs?
Lasith Malinga has taken the most hat-tricks in international cricket, including two in ODIs.