DDCA 2024/25: Berwick’s Lachlan Brown takes two hat-tricks inside two weeks

A Dandenong District Cricket Association wicketkeeper turned tweaker remarkably took his second first-grade hat-trick inside two weeks. Here’s how it all played out.

Berwick cricketer Lachlan Brown has taken two hat-tricks in the past two weeks. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Hat-tricks are very hard to come by.

Most cricketers can go the entirety of their career without getting one, let alone two.

For Berwick cricketer Lachlan Brown, this far-fetched euphoria became reality — all in under two weeks.

On the first day of the Bears DDCA Turf 1 clash against Beaconsfield at Arch Brown Reserve on Saturday, Brown ripped through the tail to finish with 3-27 from 16 overs, which included a hat-trick.

Less than two weeks earlier on Sunday, February 2, Brown’s left arm tweakers had decimated Cranbourne as he finished with 7-16 in the T20 final to skittle the Eagles for 131 and steer Berwick to the title.

He had figures of 4-1, including a hat-trick, in his final over that day.

“Everyone was up and about, we had our Ladies day and his girlfriend and all his friends were there and they all came out for the hat-trick ball, he took it and it was just going off,” Berwick coach Brad James reflected of Brown’s latest hat-trick against Beaconsfield.

Brown’s heroics with ball in hand as of late are made all the more remarkable when you consider the fact that if not for a tough day out just over two years ago, he may never have become a regular fixture in Berwick’s bowling attack.

It was January, 2023, and Buckley Ridges openers Daniel Watson and Jayson Hobbs were flying.

Desperate for answers, stand-in skipper Jake Hancock posed a left-field question to James.

“He goes, ‘what do you think about Browny? Left arm, something different, they’re whacking us’,” James recalled.

Lachlan Brown batting for Berwick. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The switch paid off, and Brown dismissed Watson for 85 before claiming the prized scalp of former Sri Lankan international Mahela Udawatte for a duck.

“From that day on he’s been a regular in our bowling attack,” James said.

In the five seasons prior to that day, Brown had bowled a total of three overs in all grades and competitions, and had spent more time behind the stumps as a wicketkeeper.

“It’s just like any left-armer, if he continues to attack the stumps it forces the batsmen to play,” James said.

“The more balls you’re making them make a decision, the more chance they are of making a mistake.

“Once he gets into a rhythm and gets going he’s hard to score off.”

Berwick are in a solid position to continue their solid run of form against Beaconsfield, with 154 runs needed for victory and nine wickets in hand heading into day two.

The Bears already have a place in Turf 1 finals sewn up, and could play any of Hallam Kalora Park, Springvale South or Buckley Ridges in the elimination final, depending on results.

“We’re definitely right in it, we’ve got a chance, we don’t fear anyone,” James said.

“We’ve beaten two of them on the road and we’ve beaten all of them in T20s,” he added of Berwick’s potential finals opponents.

“We’re working hard and we think we’ve got as good a shot as anyone.”

Berwick this week welcomed back Jake Hancock, while James Trodd is expected to return from injury next and all-round threat Matthew Hague is expected to be fit for finals.

“Come finals time we’ve got some decisions to make for selection … good problems to have,” James said.

Originally published as DDCA 2024/25: Berwick’s Lachlan Brown takes two hat-tricks inside two weeks