When a bowler sends down successive deliveries and batsmen fall like dominoes, there’s an unmistakable electricity in the air. The crowd knows they’re witnessing something special. A hat-trick? Glorious. But if the sequence goes on—four wickets… five wickets—well, then we enter hallowed, almost mythical territory. The double hat-trick. Rare. Controversial. Misunderstood. And utterly captivating.
Let’s not beat about the bush. There’s confusion out there. Cricket fans, commentators, and even seasoned players sometimes debate: Is a double hat-trick four wickets in four balls? Or is it five consecutive dismissals? Does it have to be within a single over? Well, if you’re scratching your head, you’re not alone.
As someone who’s spent a lifetime in this game—playing, coaching, analyzing, breathing cricket—I’m diving deep into this quirky but compelling piece of cricketing folklore. Let’s explore what truly defines a double hat-trick, recount historic examples, address misconceptions, and break down the cricketing nuances only an insider would appreciate.
🏏 What Is a Double Hat-trick in Cricket? | Definition + Clarity
In plain terms: a double hat-trick popularly refers to a bowler taking four wickets in four consecutive deliveries. But here’s where it gets tricky—because some purists define a double hat-trick as six wickets in six balls (i.e., two hat-tricks back to back), while others equate it with five wickets spread over successive deliveries.
But in practice—and in how it’s reported internationally—a double hat-trick is most often accepted as:
⚠️ Four wickets in four successive balls.
It’s an extension of the classic hat-trick (three wickets in three balls), but the fourth wicket adds that sensational cherry on top. Think of it as a bowling crescendo—each delivery slicing through the opposition until there’s nothing left.
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Why So Much Confusion Over the Term?
The game doesn’t have an ICC-sanctioned ‘double hat-trick’ rule. That’s a crucial point. It’s a folk term, part of the culture of cricket rather than its law. In that sense, it’s like the infamous “Nelson” superstition or the term ‘Jaffa’. We love these phrases because they give flavor to the game, even if the rulebooks don’t spell them out.
🔍 So what exactly constitutes a double hat-trick?
- At least four wickets must fall
- Must be in four successive deliveries
- All dismissals credited to the same bowler
Now let’s go even deeper.
🧠 How Many Wickets Make Up a Double Hat-trick — 4, 5, or 6?
This question crops up consistently in fan debates.
Here’s the hierarchy as it’s widely interpreted in modern play-by-play cricket commentary:
| Deliveries | Wickets | Term Commonly Used |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | Hat-trick |
| 4 | 4 | Double hat-trick |
| 5 | 5 | Rare feat/ Quintuple |
| 6 | 6 | Supernatural alert |
So, the double hat-trick = 4 wickets in 4 balls. Full stop.
Interestingly, the term ‘triple hat-trick’ has also been heard informally when five or even six wickets happen consecutively, but again, this lacks official cricketing taxonomy.
🔥 Real-Match Examples of Double Hat-tricks Across Formats
Despite its mythical aura, yes—double hat-tricks have happened. Let’s dig into some iconic instances across the cricketing world where we saw bowlers seize four wickets in four balls:
🕹️ Double Hat-trick Examples in International Cricket
Some of these may ring a bell, others are hidden gems.
1. Lasith Malinga’s 4 in 4 vs South Africa – World Cup Magic
Possibly the most globally televised double hat-trick moment, Malinga sent shockwaves by dismissing four South African batsmen in a row. It wasn’t just the death overs, it was destruction. Yorkers like lasers. South Africa collapsed, and the world took notice.
Hat-trick… no wait, FOUR wickets. Malinga became the first bowler in international cricket history to take four wickets in four balls. A feat made even more surreal given the World Cup stage.
2. Rashid Khan vs Ireland – T20i Brilliance
Afghanistan’s gem struck four times in four in a T20 match, showcasing how even bat-dominated formats have room for raw bowling ferocity. All dismissals were LBWs and clean bowled — no sloppy catches. Just sharp, calculated dismissals.
3. Curtly Ambrose vs Australia (Timeline Blitz)
In one of the most astonishing spells, Ambrose flattened the Aussies by taking 7 wickets for 1 run, including 4 in 4. Batsmen were left bewildered by bounce, pace, and sheer control.
| Bowler | Opponent | Format | Mode of Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lasith Malinga | South Africa | ODI | Bowled, LBW, caught, bowled |
| Rashid Khan | Ireland | T20i | 2 Bowled, 2 LBW |
| Curtis Campher | Netherlands | T20i | Wickets 4 to 7 of the innings |
| Chaminda Vaas | Bangladesh | ODI | First over hat-trick + 1 more |
✅ Notable Domestic Instances
- Al-Amin Hossain – Bagged 5 wickets in 5 balls in Bangladesh Premier League!
- Andrew Hall (South Africa) – Test series warm-up match, 4 dismissals in 4 balls.
- Michael Kasprowicz (Australia) – Some claim he had 4 in 4 in county cricket.
These instances glorify domestic setups as breeding grounds of special bowling moments too.
⚖️ Hat-trick vs Double Hat-trick — What’s the Difference?
Let’s draw a sharp contrast between the two for cricket junkies and new converts alike.
| Feature | Hat-trick | Double Hat-trick |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Wickets | 3 | 4 |
| Deliveries Required | 3 balls | 4 balls |
| Officially Recognized Term | Yes (by ICC) | No (folk term, media-used) |
| Historical Prevalence | Relatively common | Extremely rare |
| Frequency | At least once per series | Maybe once in 5-10 years |
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📈 Bowling Records — Who’s Taken a Double Hat-trick?
Some cricketers etch their names in books. Others rewrite them altogether. These players didn’t just swing a match—they immortalized themselves.
🧾 List of Bowlers with 4 Wickets in 4 Balls (Internationally):
| Bowler | Country | Format | Against |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | ODI | South Africa |
| Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | T20i | Ireland |
| Curtis Campher | Ireland | T20i | Netherlands |
| Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka | ODI | Bangladesh |
Some of them also hold the record of doing this across formats—ODI and T20i, or Tests and List A.
🧬 Why Are Double Hat-tricks So Rare?
Let’s get real. There are strategic, mental, and technical reasons why back-to-back wickets are hard—beyond sheer skill.
- Batsmen reset after a dismissal. After a fall of wicket, the incoming batsman gets extra attention, preparation time.
- Captains slow down the pace. Fielding captains might spread the field, take pressure off the new batsman.
- Batters play safer. Once hat-trick looms, batsmen often play dead bat defense.
- Bowling variation needed. Can’t repeat same deliveries—requires high-level risk-management.
🧠 Deeper Tactical Breakdown: How to Set Up a Double Hat-trick Opportunity
Experienced bowlers often talk about the ‘setup’—a discrete build-up that culminates in an eruptive payoff.
Here’s how elite bowlers approach it:
- Ball 1: Bait shot with outswinger – Dismissal via edge
- Ball 2: Swing in – trap LBW
- Ball 3: Go yorker – clean up the stumps
- Ball 4: Wide of the crease, angle delivery – surprise, gone!
This is a clinic in deception and adaptation—you’re not just repeating a good line, you’re adjusting to the incoming batter’s instincts and nerves. That’s why real double hat-tricks are a craft more than a miracle.
🧐 FAQs: Cricket Double Hat-trick Explained
📌 Q: Is a double hat-trick 4 or 5 wickets?
A: Mostly accepted as 4 wickets in 4 balls. Although some fans mistakenly refer to 5 wickets, official usage favors four.
📌 Q: Has anyone taken 5 or 6 in 5/6?
A: Yes. Some bowlers have taken 5 wickets in 5 balls (e.g., Al-Amin Hossain) and even 6 in 6 in youth cricket, but not in ODIs or Tests.
📌 Q: Is double hat-trick an official cricket term?
A: No. It’s informal, used mainly by commentators and media.
📌 Q: Does a double hat-trick span overs?
A: Yes, as long as it’s by the same bowler and on consecutive legal deliveries—even across overs or innings.
🎯 Key Takeaways and Strategy Guide for Bowlers
| Insights | Tips |
|---|---|
| Double hat-tricks are rare but possible. | Always stay attacking, especially after wickets. |
| Requires mastery of variation. | Perfect the yorker, slower ball, and outswinger. |
| Field settings are crucial. | Aggressive field for new batsmen amplifies pressure. |
| Mental game decides the fourth ball. | Stay calm, don’t over-attack, outthink the batter. |
✍️ Final Word from a Cricket Insider
Every wicket tells a story. A hat-trick is a blockbuster. But a double hat-trick? That’s Shakespearean. Tragedy for the batting side. Glory for the bowler. It’s those microbursts of genius that remind us why we adore this game—not for the textbook definitions but for the unscripted drama.
As someone who’s coached bowlers at different levels, I always say: ‘Don’t aim for a double hat-trick. Aim to bowl your best ball every time. And if destiny wants to line up four consecutive wickets… grab it.’
Because when it happens—when that fourth stump cartwheels, and your teammates converge around you—it’s not just a stat. It’s a career moment.
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Angad Mehra
- Angad Mehra is an avid cricket analyst and sports writer who pays attention to betting patterns and match specifics. Angad has years of experience writing, covering both Indian and international cricket. He explains stats, odds, and strategies in a clear, simple manner that resonates with fans. Readers trust Angad’s articles to keep them ahead of the game whether on or off the field. Off the field, you can find him either tracking live scores ball by ball or debating IPL lineup changes.
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