STATS CORNER – Lasith Malinga became the fourth bowler to perform two hat-tricks in one day internationals and the first to do so in World Cup match. The right-arm fast bowler from Galle achieved this feat against Kenya at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Tuesday (March 1). Lasith Malinga’s hat trick started in the 42nd over of the match.
Tanmay Mishra became the first victim of Malinga’s hat-trick after missing a full delivery on leg stump to fall for a 13-ball duck.
It was the final ball of the over, and Lasith Malinga gave Peter Ongondo the warmest welcome possible to the tournament in the first ball of his next – a yorker that uprooted middle. The staggered dismissals meant many in the crowd weren’t aware that Lasith Malinga was on a hat-trick. He steamed in and the middle stump was dismantled again next ball, the clueless batsman this time was Shem Ngoche. Lasith Malinga’s fist hat trick came against South Africa at Providence on March 28,2003. He took four wicket in four balls in this match.
Pakistan’s Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq and Sri Lankan Chaminda Vaas are the only other bowlers to perform two hat tricks in limited overs international cricket.
Lasith Malinga’s hat trick was the 29th in 3113 ODIs. It was the third hat-trick in Sri Lanka and the second against Kenya.
Lasith Malinga recorded his best bowling performance in one day internationals by taking six for 38. It was second best bowling performance by a Sri Lankan bowler in World Cup after Chaminda Vaas’ six for 25 against Bangladesh at Pietermaritzburg on February 14, 2003. Lasith Malinga’s previous best in limited overs international cricket was five for 34 against Pakistan at Dambulla on June 15, 2010.
