Video: Worcestershire's Leach takes hat-trick in first three balls

Peter Hanson

Video: Worcestershire's Leach takes hat-trick in first three balls image

Worcestershire Rapids seamer Joe Leach left Northampton Steelbacks' top order toiling by claiming a hat-trick with the opening three deliveries of Monday's (AEST) One-Day Cup match.

Living up to their franchise moniker at New Road, Worcestershire made a breathless start to the match as both Richard Levi and Rob Keogh nicked Leach behind to wicketkeeper Ben Cox.

Incredibly, Ben Duckett also trudged back to the pavilion for a golden duck after Jack Shantry held a catch at gully.

Leach is not the first man to achieve the impressive feat, though. Chaminda Vaas also claimed a hat-trick in the first three balls for Pakistan during a Cricket World Cup match against Bangladesh in February 2003.

Despite Leach's sensational opening burst, Worcestershire were still unable to claim victory. Northants recovered from 19-6 to post 126 all out and then limited their opponents to 105 in reply.

Peter Hanson