Dromana captain Ben Brittain takes double hat-trick in MPCA game

Dromana fast bowler Ben Brittain was in disbelief after taking a rare double hat-trick — four wickets in successive balls.

Ben Brittain had never taken a hat-trick before Saturday, but now has a double hat-trick on his cricket CV.

Dromana fast bowler Ben Brittain estimates he’s been on 10 hat-tricks during his cricket career, only to “stuff up’’ the crucial third delivery each time.

But on Saturday, the 34-year-old struck it lucky — and then some.

Playing against Crib Point in an MPCA District game, Brittain not only took his first hat-trick but made it a double hat-trick with the last four balls of the innings, reducing the Magpies from 6-134 to 134 all out.

“It was a bit surreal,’’ he said.

“It all happened pretty quickly. I was like, I can’t believe it just happened.’’

Brittain, who is Dromana’s captain, said the double hat-trick contained some of his best and worst bowling.

Ben Brittain took a double hat-trick with his last four deliveries.

A “slog to cow corner’’ gave him his first wicket. Then he clean bowled the next batsman, the bail flying halfway to the boundary.

On a hat-trick, Brittain told himself to pitch it up.

“The hat-trick ball was probably one of my worst ones, actually,’’ he said.

“It was a full toss and smashed him straight in front on the pads. Out LBW.’’

Crib Point’s No. 11 batsman had to face the music and had no chance. Brittain had his tail up.

“It jagged back in off a good length — it probably would have got number 1 batsman out to be honest,’’ he said.

“It knocked out middle and off (stumps).’’

Brittain finished with 5-22 off 8 overs.

“It was probably the best I’ve felt bowling at the start…you can bowl really good on some days and not get many wickets,’’ he said.

“I’ve certainly gone close (to a hat-trick), even against Rosebud in round one I was on a hat-trick there and I just missed leg stump.

“I’ve always stuffed up my hat-trick ball. I finally got lucky. And then to do it with a double...’’

And don’t think for a second Brittain is satisfied with four wickets in a row. No way.

He’s planning on grabbing a wicket first ball against Carrum next weekend to make it five on the spin, or a triple hat-trick.

“I’ll let him (Carrum’s opening batsman) know he’s facing a triple hat trick,’’ Brittain laughed.

The game against Crib Point ended in high drama.

It turned out Dromana needed every bit of Brittain’s heroics.

Chasing 135 for victory, Dromana faltered and had to scamper through for a single in the 40th over, nine wickets down, to secure victory — after cruising at 3-115.