Essex captain Simon Harmer, a highly popular figure in English domestic cricket, delivered a remarkable performance against Sussex at Hove. The 34-year-old off-spinner showcased his skill by taking exceptional figures of 4/28, causing Sussex to be bowled out for 138 in just 18.4 overs while chasing a target of 164.
Harmer’s impact was evident right from the start as he claimed three wickets in his opening over, with each dismissal occurring consecutively on the first three balls of his spell, thus achieving a magnificent hat-trick.
During the third over of the innings, Harmer took the ball in hand. Tom Alsop, who had played a crucial innings of fifty runs against Surrey on Sunday, attempted to hit Harmer’s first delivery over extra cover while he was batting on 4 off 4 balls.
However, the ball took a thick edge off Alsop’s bat and was caught by Sam Cook, positioned at short third man. Pakistan’s Shadab Khan, batting at number four, became Harmer’s next victim when he struck the ball straight to Feroze Khushi at square leg, resulting in a golden duck for Khan.
Harmer completed his sensational hat-trick by dismissing Michael Burgess leg-before-wicket on the very next delivery. This achievement marked the first hat-trick in T20 matches for Essex since Shaun Tait’s feat against Nottinghamshire in 2013 and also the first hat-trick against Sussex since Dimitri Mascarenhas accomplished it for Hampshire in 2004.
Following the quick collapse of Sussex’s batting lineup, from 15/1 to 15/4 within a short span, Essex had little chance of staging a miraculous comeback. As expected, they fell short of the target, and despite Harmer’s outstanding performance, the victory eluded them.
A hat-trick to start your spell! 😱
— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) June 1, 2023
Simon Harmer, you magnificent man 😍#Blast23 https://t.co/zgpTXCDTjp pic.twitter.com/zBEQdlByYQ
Nonetheless, fans on Twitter showered Harmer with praise. Despite his consistent performances over the years, the talented cricketer has only represented his country in 10 Test matches so far.