‘Carnage’: Irish cricketer Curtis Campher claims double hat-trick at T20 World Cup

Irish all-rounder Curtis Campher has stunned the cricket world with a mind-boggling bowling spell at the T20 World Cup.

Irish all-rounder Curtis Campher has become the third cricketer to take a double hat-trick in men’s international cricket, achieving the rare feat during Monday’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands.

Campher joins modern great Lasith Malinga and Rashid Khan on the illustrious list of cricketers to claim four wickets in four consecutive deliveries on the international arena.

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The Netherlands were 2/52 in the 10th over of their innings when the 22-year-old seamer rattled the Dutch middle order with a quartet of dismissals in his second over of the tournament.

Campher first removed Colin Ackermann with a loose delivery down the leg side that was gloved and caught behind by Irish wicketkeeper Neil Rock.

The right-armer then trapped Ryan ten Doeschate and Scott Edwards LBW in his next two balls to become the first Irishman to take a hat-trick in international cricket.

But Campher wasn’t done there, lastly dismissing Roelof van der Merwe with a full delivery that was edged back onto the stumps.

“Curtis Campher what are you delivering? Are they cannonballs or cricket balls?” Indian broadcaster Harsha Bhogle said in commentary.

The wickets of Ackermann and Edwards came after successful DRS reviews from Irish skipper Andy Balbirnie.

Curtis Campher of Ireland celebrates the wicket of Scott Edwards. Photo by Gareth Copley-ICC/ICC via Getty Images

The Netherlands were suddenly 6/52 and Campher had career-best bowling figures of 4/13 to his name.

He became just the second cricketer to take a hat-trick in a Men’s T20 World Cup, joining Australian speedster Brett Lee.

Before Monday, Campher had only taken three wickets in his T20 international career. He made his international debut in 2020, and has since represented Ireland in 10 ODIs and four T20s.

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Four in four for Campher…incredible. Out of which two were poor umpiring decisions. #T20WorldCup#ThankYouDRS#IREvNED

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 18, 2021

Curtis Campher in his second over against the Netherlands in the 2021 T20 World Cup:

Wd, 0, W, W, W, W, 1

He became the third bowler in T20 history to grab 4 wickets on 4 balls. 👏👏#T20WorldCup#CurtisCamperpic.twitter.com/rwY83F0oQa

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) October 18, 2021

Curtis Campher has taken more wickets in this over than his entire T20i career! 4 wickets in 4 balls. Incredible scenes in Abu Dhabi! #T20WorldCup

— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) October 18, 2021

Campher four wickets in four balls! Carnage! Scenes! Scenes of carnage! #T20WorldCup#IRE#NED#IREvNED

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) October 18, 2021

A double hat-trick.
This #T20WorldCup is delivering so far. Absolute scenes.

— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) October 18, 2021

The Netherlands were eventually bowled out for 106 at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium, setting Ireland a modest 107-rub target for victory.

Dutch opener Max O’Dowd top-scored with 51, while skipper Pieter Seelaar contributed a crucial 21.

Incredibly, the Dutch innings featured five golden ducks, the first instance of it happening in over 15,000 T20 matches.