Prosper Utseya becomes 2nd Zimbabwean to take an ODI hat-trick

FILE PHOTO: Prosper Utseya became the 2nd Zimbabwean to take a hat-trick in ODIs

Off-spinner Prosper Utseya today became the 2nd Zimbabwean cricketer after Eddo Brandes (in 1997 against England) to claim a hat-trick in ODI cricket.

The 29-year-old achieved the feat at Harare when he dismissed Quinton de Kock, Rilee Rossouw and David Miller off consecutive deliveries in his 6th over in the ongoing ODI against South Africa.

The South Africans, who were sent in to bat by Zimbabwe, looked to be cruising to a big total at one stage when they reached 142 without loss at the end of 24 overs with Hasim Amla and de Kock well past the half-century mark.

Just when Elton Chigumbura, the Zimbabwe captain, would have began to regret his decision of choosing to field, Utseya took the prized wicket of Amla to give Zimbabwe some respite.

Despite Amla being dismissed for 66 off 80 balls, South Africa seemed still very much in the ascendency at 142/1. But the off-spinner, who is one of Zimbabwe’s most experienced cricketers, turned the match on its head in his very next over with the strikes of de Kock, Rossouw and Miller, leaving the South Africans precariously placed, all of a sudden, at 147/4.

The hat-trick

26.4 – A brilliant one-handed catch by Tendai Chatara resulted in de Kock’s dismissal as he tried to reverse-hit the spinner but couldn’t beat the short-third man. Q de Kock c Chatara b Utseya 76 (76)

26.5 – Rilee Rossouw, who had a horrendous debut, run out on duck after just 1 ball, witnessed tragedy when he was dismissed for yet another duck, off the first ball he faced, as he edged the ball to the slip fielder who pouched it comfortably. RR Rossouw c Nyumbu b Utseya 0 (1)

26.6 – The hat-trick ball decieved David Miller, going on straight without turning and catching him plumb in front of the wicket. DA Miller lbw b Utseya 0 (1)

Utseya collected one more wicket after the hat-trick, dismissing JP Duminy, trapping him in front of the wicket. He ended with figures of 5/36 in 10 overs, his best ever performance in ODI cricket.

It’s been a whirlwind few days for Utseya as he was recently reported for a suspect bowling action and is due to undergo testing in the coming days.

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