Raworth paceman Tim Baker has written himself into the record books with an ultra-rare triple hat-trick – five-wickets in a row.
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Baker took an incredible six wickets in seven balls to rout Dungog for just 51 in their Maitland A-grade clash at Schanck Drive on Saturday, but it was the final five deliveries which sealed his place in cricketing folklore.
“I think I may have had a hat-trick before, but not since playing juniors. I certainly haven't had five wickets in a row before though,” Baker said from holiday in Bali.
“I wasn't particularly nervous. I didn't think I was going to get a hat-trick. I just ran in and bowled at the pegs and it come off.
“Getting the wickets after that was also quite a shock.”
Maitland cricket historian Lindsay Wood said he could not remember a similar feat with the ball in recent memory.
“It probably has happened in Maitland cricket sometime over the years. I remember six wickets in a row in a school match,” he said.
“However, hat-tricks are rare enough, I think it will certainly enter the record books in some form.”
Raworth’s celebrations continued well into the night, but Baker said he was fine by the time he flew out for a much-needed break to Bali on Monday.
Baker said his teammates were just as shocked as him as the wickets kept tumbling.
He claimed a wicket with the first ball of his fourth over and after a dot ball took wickets with the final four deliveries. The sequence and Dungog's innings ended with the first ball of his fifth over.
“My teammates couldn't believe it either. A few of them mentioned they shouldn't have to pay game fees as they didn't do anything,” Baker said.
“I’m just happy our team got a win with the bonus point it gets us right back in the mix.”
Baker finished with 6-13 as openers David Seers (21) and Jackson Bell (30) were the only Dungog batsmen who managed to score.
Fielding 10-men, Dungog was dismissed in just 8.1 overs with Mitchell Thompson backing up Baker claiming 2-38.
Raworth’s opening pair Brendan Hourigan (28 not out from 14 balls) and Baker (24 from 10) took four overs to reach their target.
Raworth are fifth on 23 points, six points behind fourth placed Kurri Kurri who are a point adrift of Paterson and Windsor Castle.
Paterson v Port Stephens
Paterson put last week’s dismal batting performance behind them to claim their biggest scalp of the year defeating Port Stephens by four wickets at King Park 5.
Paterson’s bowlers produced again to hold the powerful Pythons to 9/129 and were backed up by their batsmen who reeled in the target with four wickets and six overs to spare.
The win lifts Paterson to second, equal on points with last week’s conqueror Port Stephens, and reaffirms their standing as a genuine grand final contender.
Kurt Humphreys was leading wicket taker with 3-24 and Russell Presland was miserly capturing 2-12 from his eight overs.
Brad Bidner was also economical finishing with 2-22 from his eight.
Chris Merchant anchored the innings with 33 not out. Opening partner Bidner’s innings was cut short on 15 when he was run out.
Presland top scored for the second week in a row scoring 44, including two sixes. He has 169 runs at 33.7 for the season to date.
Windsor Castle and Kurri Kurri’s game at Howe Park was washed out and will be treated as a draw.
There will be no games in the one-day competition next week. A-grade resumes on February 4 with Windsor Castle Stallions hosting Port Stephens. Raworth meet Kurri Kurri and Paterson and Dungog clash at Paterson.