East Keilor youngster claims incredible second hat-trick of the season

It’s a feat cricketers can go their entire careers without achieving but Mitch Iannello from East Keilor has claimed a rare hat-trick twice this season.

East Keilor's Mitch Iannella celebrates a second hat-trick. Picture: East Keilor Facebook

A hat-trick, a rare feat most cricketers go their entire careers without achieving.

However, for East Keilor youngster Mitch Iannello its simple after collecting his second of the season last Friday night.

The promising all-rounder took three consecutive wickets and finish with an amazing 4-0 in the Eagles’ NWMCA Under-14s (7) outright win over Keilor Park-Strathmore.

It follows his first hat-trick in the Round 2 match against Craigieburn-Donnybrook on December 4.

Iannello would finish with figures of 3-9 from 2.1 overs on that day as his club triumphed.

The youngster finishes the home-and-away season with 12 wickets as well as 103 runs with a top score of 23.

East Keilor coach Gary Hughes said he was still learning the game but had all the tools.

“It’s only his second season of cricket, he’s also a good footballer for East Keilor,” he said.

“He’s not a bad batsman … when he hits the ball it stays hit, he’s got a good eye.

“He’s got the ability he just needs to put it all together, so once he gets the idea he’ll be a good bowler and if he listens he’ll be a good batsman.”

Iannello is also a talented footballer, finishing runner-up in the EDFL Under-11 Division 2 league best-and-fairest in 2019.

The Eagles have a rich history of hat-tricks with Hamish Pearce also taking one in the under-10s this season.

Hughes’ grandson Blake achieved the ultra rare double hat-trick (four wickets in four balls) last season and his son David also took one as a junior.

In all there have been seven hat-tricks across the club’s grades since 2010.

The outright win on Friday helped East Keilor scrape into the top four, setting up a clash against ladder-leader Aberfeldie in the semi-finals.