Cricket is replete with unique and exciting moments, moments that capture the imaginations of both fans and commentators. One of them, however, is frequently asked in both cricket forums and search engines, how many wickets constitute a double hat-trick?
This article will deconstruct the concept of a double hat-trick, how it is considered a unique event compared to a standard hat-trick, what counts in a double hat-trick and the reasons as to why it is such a renowned accomplishment in the world of the sport, cricket.
What Is a Double Hat-Trick?
As its name suggests, a double hat-trick has to do with four wickets in a row. When a bowler scores out four batsmen off four successive legal deliveries within the same match then the bowler has scored what is known by fans as a double hat-trick.
Here’s the simple breakdown:
- Hat-trick: 3 wickets in three consecutive balls of the law.
- Double hat-trick: Cracker of 4 wickets in 4 consecutive legal deliveries.
The brief and straight forward answer to How Many Wickets Constitute A Double Hat-Trick? is therefore, four wickets in four successive overs by the same bowler.
Since you shall require one more wicket than an ordinary hat-trick, and shall still retain the chain intact, a double hat-trick is still more extraordinary and more dramatic than the other.
Hat-Trick vs Double Hat-Trick: What’s the Difference?
These are two different terms but very close to each other:
| Term | Wickets Needed | Balls Delivered |
| Hat-trick | 3 | 3 |
| Double hat-trick | 4 | 4 |
Both performances require that the bowler be making wickets in successive legal balls, that is, no wides or no-balls in between the scoring. Dismissals attributed to the bowler (such as bowled, caught, lbw, stumped, or hit wicket) are the only ones which are counted in the sequence.
Rules and What Counts
Before you read any further about the recording of the double hat-trick, you ought to know a few necessary points:
Legal Deliveries
Legal deliveries only take into consideration, in other words, wides and no-balls are not part of the wicket sequence.
Valid Dismissals
Credit of dismissals has to be given to the bowler. These include:
- Bowled
- LBW
- Caught
- Stumped
- Hit wicket
Obstructing the field, a run-out and the other non-bowler dismissals do not count, they interrupt the flow towards a two-hat-trick.
Sequence Can Span Overs
The four consecutive wickets do not necessarily have to be in the identical over. The sequence counts as long as the deliveries of the bowler fall in the same series of legal balls in the same match.
Why It’s So Rare
Already a big deal in cricket is a regular hat-trick (three in three). It is very rare that performance should be extended through four in four, and every ball by the bowler should be followed by a dismissal.
According to historical statistics on cricketing, the number of times where doubled hat-tricks have occurred in international matches is quite low and thus it is one of the most spectacular individual performances in the sport.
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Famous Double Hat-Trick Moments
The following are some of the great performances in four-in-four in the history of cricket:
Lasith Malinga – ODI and T2OI Statistics
A well-known example of a bowling turn in the sport is in the 2007 Cricket World Cup Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka claimed four wickets in four balls against South Africa.
Rashid Khan – Afghanistan T20I
This was also a rare achievement by the Ace spinner Rashid Khan of Afghanistan who was able to get four wickets in four consecutive balls in a T20 international match against Ireland.
Curtis Campher – T20 World Cup
This is one of the rarest bursts by an all-rounder in the T20 World Cup that Ireland all-rounder Curtis Campher did by scoring four wickets in inbound deliveries and shifted the tide.
All these are captured in scorecards and live commentary, although the phrase, double hat-trick, might not be in the official Laws of Cricket, it is such an expression that commentators and the spectators are happy to apply to the spell.
Final Word
One of the greatest bowling performances in the sport of cricket is the double hat-trick. The answer to the question: what is a double hat-trick?, will make you even more appreciative of how special and dramatic such a moment is. It is either you are scoring local matches or viewing international cricket. This is the time to have your eyes open, you may see a bowler get four wickets with four balls.
FAQs
1. What is the number of the wickets that constitute a double hat-trick?
A four wicket four consecutive legal delivery by the same bowler in a single game is a double hat-trick.
2. Is there such a thing as a double hat-trick in the terms of cricket?
No, that is highly popular among fans, commentators and analysts, it is not one of the official categories in the Cricket Laws.
3. Are run-outs considered a pair of hat-tricks?
No, the bowler does not get to be credited with a run-out, thus does not get to be added to the wicket sequence.
4. Is it possible to tolerate a double hat-trick?
Yes, provided that the deliveries made in succession are lawful and the same bowler makes them, the overs make no difference.
5. Who has scored a two-hat-trick in international cricket?
It is a rare feat only a few bowlers have attained such as Lasith Malinga, Rashid Khan, and Curtis Campher.
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