ICC T20 World Cup warm-up: David Willey takes hat-trick against England while playing for MCA XI

Taking a hat-trick is a special occasion for any bowler. But, what’s it like when you take it against your own team? Ask David Willey, who bagged a hat-trick while playing for the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) XI against England in their ICC World T20 2016 warm-up at the Brabourne Stadium. Willey dismissed Joe Root, Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan off the last three deliveries of the innings as England posted 177 for eight in their 20 overs after batting first.

Willey isn’t the only England player who turned up for the MCA XI. England fielded four of their players in the opposition in a bid to get their whole squad valuable game time ahead of the World T20. Since they are up against a local team, they had the opportunity to do this. Apart from Willey, leg-spinner Adil Rashid, wicketkeeper Jos Buttler and batsman James Vince donned the MCA XI jersey.

MCA XI are led by Shreyas Iyer, the leading run-scorer of the Ranji Trophy 2015-16. Their team also features Jay Bista, Shardul Thakur and Akhil Herwadkar to name a few. Later, during the game, MCA XI’s Eknath Kerkar fielded for England when one of their players went off the field.

MCA XI nearly chased down England's 177 as they were powered by Jay Bista's strokeful 51. Jos Buttler scored a quick 25 and James Vince recorded a fighting 43 while batting for the MCA XI. Ultimately, England sealed victory by 14 runs.

Bista, in particular was a joy to watch. He upper-cut one of the England fast bowlers for a six over third-man. The confidence was evident — he scored over a 1,000 runs in the Col. CK Nayudu Trophy this year before smashing a century for Mumbai in the Irani Trophy last week. The young Bista could be one to watch out for during the next domestic season.

Then, Buttler too gave England a scare as he manufactured some good shots — the highlight being a glide past the wicketkeeper for a four. As a result, England’s wicketkeeper, Sam Billings, moved far back and stood on the 30-yard circle whenever Buttler took strike.

Perhaps MCA XI could have sent Willey in earlier. Although his bowling has been in focus, he is a more than a handy batsman. Last year, he smashed a century in a T20 game for Northamptonshire against Sussex. This time, he only walked in during the last over, by which time, the game was all but won by England. Willey has certainly helped his case ahead of the World T20 and England may mull playing him as an all-rounder, who’d bat down the order.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the Brabourne Stadium has seen non-team members appear for another side. Back in 1987, a teenaged Sachin Tendulkar fielded for Pakistan during a 40-over tour match against the Indians. Speaking to DNA, former Mumbai University cricketer, Hemant Kenkre said: “In one instance (in that game), a skier came towards Sachin and he ran as if his life depended on it. Though the ball fell out of his reach, he was very disappointed that he could not catch it.” Not many had taken notice of this youngster in that game, but a couple of years later, he was playing for India against Pakistan.

Such instances aren’t limited to unofficial games at the Brabourne Stadium. In 1963-64, when England played a Test match at this venue, they had a difficult time putting 11 players on the park. A few players were either ill or injured. Such were England’s worries that the famous English commentator and journalist, Henry Blofeld, was asked to be ready to take the field if needed. However, England named a proper team, but India’s 12th man, AG Kripal Singh fielded for them whenever needed.

Fast forward to 2006, West Indies faced issues during their 2006 Champions Trophy encounter against Australia at Brabourne Stadium. Corey Collymore had returned to join his wife for the birth of their child, Shivnarine Chanderpaul was ill and Brian Lara injured himself while batting. Mumbai wicketkeeper, Vinayak Samant, was summoned for fielding duties and he helped out during Australia’s run-chase.