Premier Cricket 2019-20: Matt Doric collects hat-trick for Essendon

Star Essendon paceman Matt Doric had never claimed a hat-trick in senior cricket before Saturday, but he combined with Tom O’Donnell to dismantle Ringwood on a dominant opening day for his team.

Matt Doric was in fine form for Essendon on Saturday. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Champion paceman Matt Doric completed the first hat-trick of the Premier Cricket season on Saturday as Essendon made a mess of Ringwood on a rain-affected opening day.

Just 28.1 overs were possible at Russell Lucas Oval as Doric became the first Bomber since Dave McKay in 2007-08 to grab three wickets in consecutive deliveries.

Doric removed star Rams all-rounder Ian Holland (bowled), Harry Came (LBW) and Josh Hartill (caught) in his fourth over, sensationally reducing the home side to 5-7.

Ringwood was wobbling at 8-67 at the close, with Doric finishing with 3-33 from 14 overs.

Tom O’Donnell collected 4-30 from his 14 overs, including the key scalps of David King and Tom Stray, while spinner Liam Bowe had 1-0 from one delivery when stumps were called.

Tom O’Donnell finished the day with 4-30. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“It was good fun,” said Doric, who has seven wickets at 17.3 apiece this season.

“Because I hadn’t had a hat-trick since juniors, there was obviously excitement and a few of the boys are jumping on you and that sort of stuff. It’s good for the boys as well.

“Ian Holland let one go on off-stump for the first wicket and then after that it was a bit of a blur.”

It wasn’t all good news for Essendon, with O’Donnell (hamstring) and Patrick Matautaava (foot) suffering injuries.

Doric labelled O’Donnell — who has 11 wickets to his name at 11.9 in 2019-20 — “a star”.

“It’s been nice this year just to let him take control a little bit, take the wind and take a few wickets,” he said.

“It’s been nice to stay in the back seat. It’s been working well.

“It’s a pretty good bowling attack when it all comes together.”

While the second-placed Bombers are set to be short of bowling options on day two, they are in a powerful position to keep their undefeated record intact.

“The rain all day didn’t help at all, but hopefully next week we can get the two wickets quite quickly and then go from there,” Doric said.

“We’ve had a strong start to the year and the premiership’s the aim.

“We’re obviously winning games, but all the boys are having a lot of fun together.”

Essendon’s Mat Lewis also took a hat-trick in the Fourth XI fixture against Greenvale Kangaroos in Round 2.