Ireland pacer Joshua Little etched his name in record books as he picked up a sensational hat-trick in the T20 World Cup 2022 clash against New Zealand at Adelaide Oval on Friday.
Little is the second Irish bowler to take a hat trick after Curtis Campher. The left-armer accomplished the feat by dismissing Black Caps captain Kane Williamson, all-rounder James Neesham, and Mitchell Santner in the penultimate over of New Zealand’s innings.
Notably, Little is the second bowler after the UAE’s Karthik Meiyappan to register a hat-trick in the ongoing multi-team tournament.
Here is how the hat-trick took place:
- 18.2: Little to Williamson, a short delivery pulled by the batter but failed to get the desired distance and was caught by a fielder at deep backward square leg.
- 18.3: Little to Neesham, a quick delivery which straightened up. Neesham tried to slog that away on the leg side but missed it and was dismissed leg before wicket.
- 18.4: Little to Santner, another length ball that skids on and hits the pads. The batter did go for the review, but the replay showed three reds as Little recorded a brilliant hat trick.
Here is the video:
Second Hat-trick of ICC world T20 2022 pic.twitter.com/YI88UQnjzI
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Williamson, who was the first victim of Little, went all guns blazing, scoring 61 off just 34 balls helping New Zealand post 185/6 in their allotted 20 overs. The Black Caps skipper smashed five fours and three sixes in his comeback knock. Apart from Williamson, Finn Allen and Daryl Mitchell chipped in with valuable contributions of 32 and 31, respectively.
Little finished his quota of 4 overs with three wickets while conceding 22 runs. Spinner Gareth Delany also shined with the ball for the Irish side, taking a couple of wickets for 30 runs in 4 overs. Mark Adair picked up one scalp while giving away 39 runs.
