Source: Radio New Zealand
Central Stags paceman Brett Randell captured global headlines after becoming the first player to claim a triple hat-trick in the 254-year history of first class cricket. www.photosport.nz
After taking his fifth wicket in five balls, a perplexed Brett Randell looked to his teammates for an explanation.
“What was going on? I don’t think anyone knew what was going on. We were coming into the huddle after each of the wickets and their reactions were the same as mine, just ‘what’s going on?’”
The Central Districts bowler rewrote the record books on Sunday after becoming the first player to claim a triple hat-trick in the 254-year history of first class cricket.
He achieved the feat during a Plunket Shield match against Northern Districts at McLean Park in Napier.
“It’s a once in a lifetime thing and I’m just going to try and stay grounded and go into next game, just trying to emulate the same plans, but recognising that the same thing’s probably not going to happen again,” Randell said.
The accomplishment had still not fully sunk in for Randell.
“It was pretty crazy. I still can’t really believe it, I don’t think I will for a while.”
He described a surreal feeling as the wickets kept tumbling. Randell’s dismissals read bowled, bowled, caught behind, caught at slip, bowled.
“I was just trying to stay level headed and just keep putting the ball in the same area because it was clearly working. That was about it really, couldn’t believe what was happening, but still trying to stay in the same area that I had been doing for the previous few balls.
“We talk about not really not searching for wickets. So I was just trying to put the ball in the same area because it had got wickets already. So I just thought, why not? I’m just going to keep trying to put it in the same area and see what happens.
“I managed to snaffle another couple. Then the couple in the over after that as well, I was just trying to do the same thing.”
As for his favourite, he said they were all “pretty good”.
“I think the first one I was quite happy with because of the balls proceeding it, I had a plan come to fruition. Then they just kept coming off. So I’d say all of them are pretty equal.”
Commenters online attempted to take the gloss off the feat, questioning whether or not the third wicket was legitimate.
“I thought it hit glove initially. I spoke to Joe (Carter) this morning and he said he would have gone up as well, but he was pretty adamant that he didn’t hit it.
“I mean, at the end of the day, the umpire put his finger up and that’s all there is to it.”
Having captured global headlines, Randell said he was simply trying to enjoy the moment.
“The messages from family and friends have been crazy. Everyone just can’t really believe it. From friends all around the world as well that I’ve played cricket with – it was a really special moment.”
A veteran of the first-class scene, Randell, who represented New Zealand at under-19 level, made his debut for Northern Districts in 2017. He said he still had ambitions of a Black Caps’ call-up.
“I’ve moved around quite a bit, those sorts of selections or recognition will come or they won’t. At the end of the day, I’m just trying to put out some good performances for the Stags and be the best cricketer and best person I can be.”
Though he said he had shared plenty of memorable moments with the Stags, from a personal standpoint, the triple hat-trick sits alone as his finest hour on a cricket pitch.
“I don’t think there is any topping it, unless I can join a fellow teammate of mine Ajaz Patel and get 10 in an innings.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
