Looking back at Merv Hughes' hat-trick which was spread across 3 overs and 2 innings

Can a bowler complete his hat-trick in three overs? No, we are not talking about riddles. This is something that has actually happened in international cricket, with the bowler being Merv Hughes of Australia.

The incident took place in 1988 during the second Test match between Australia and West Indies in Perth. Batting first, West Indies were at a comfortable position after a great century from Vivian Richards. After his departure, they were at 440/8 with Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh at the crease.

Merv Hughes then came out to bowl his 36th over of the innings, and Ambrose nicked one to the hands of Ian Healy off the last ball of that over. The Australian captain Allan Border withdrew Hughes after that spell, as his intention of breaking the partnership was fulfilled.

Later, when the No. 6 batsman Gus Logie was caught by Steve Waugh off Tim May, Border re-introduced Hughes into the attack. On the first ball of his new over, he got the No. 11 batsmen Patrick Patterson to drive one into the hands of Tony Dodemaide, which ended the West Indian innings at 449.

In short, two back-to-back wickets were credited to Hughes from two different overs.

The Australian first innings saw a fine century from Graeme Wood, which helped them post a respectable 395. Hughes then opened the bowling attack during the second innings, and was it again. The very first ball of the innings saw the legendary Gordon Greenidge being trapped leg-before-wicket by Hughes.

Most of the viewers and players were unaware at the time of the history that Hughes had created with this wicket. It was a three-ball hat-trick in three different overs that was spread over two different innings and dates!

West Indies scored 349 in the second innings after a century from Desmond Haynes. Chasing a target of 404 runs, Australia fell short by 170 runs as the West Indian bowlers were successful in preventing the batsmen from building any large partnerships; the home side were eventually all out for 234.

Hughes took 5 wickets in the firsts innings and 8 wickets in the second innings, to end the game with an impressive 13/217.