TYLER Garraway had let a hat-trick slip by him before.
The Irymple bowler confesses he’s had multiple opportunities to grab the rare three-peat of wickets, only to “spray the ball wide” on the ultimate delivery.
The 22-year-old finally claimed the object that eluded him as his second over for the Swallows First XI against Merbein at the weekend yielded the wickets.
More importantly, his final tally of 4/29 would help his side sneak home to a two-wicket victory in the final over in a thrilling contest with the Magpies.
“They put up a great fight and it was a really good game that went back and forth across the day,” Garraway said.
While mostly playing second division cricket last season, Garraway has played all four games so far in firsts and has earned the rewards for his hard work.
The Magpies were in a solid position at 2/75 when the right-armer Garraway started his second over.
After the first ball of the over was a dot ball, veteran Tony Trinick nailed a cover drive which was taken in a sharp reflex catch at short cover by captain Mark Thomson, out for 27.
“When ‘Thommo’ goes in close, he’s a really good catch so you know he’s always going to be a chance,” Garraway said.
“We had that close in fielder to both batsman, really just trying to find a way to get a wicket and lucky Thommo has pulled one out.”
Youngsters Kurtis Fitzpatrick and Angus Smith then fell in the next two deliveries, both caught behind by Jordan Payne to complete the feat.
“The next ball was a bit of the same, really just ideally trying to make them play at the first ball he faced and lucky he got a feather on it,” Garrway said.
“I’ve been on a hat-trick a couple of times before but have absolutely sprayed the next ball wide, so I was more focussed on getting it in line with the stumps than anything.
“Again he got an edge and the boys got around me which really just made the moment feel even better.”
Garraway would take his fourth wicket the next over when he bowled Carlo Longeri for two, taking him to 4/6 from 3.5 overs.
The reigning premiers have a well-renowned deep bowling unit with Thomson, Bailey Anderson and Chase Stone leading the pace attack and Bryson Lush and Scott Steel adding quality spin.
But the likes of Tyler and Caleb Garraway and Ben Wilkinson have all taken wickets so far this season with the extra opportunities afforded to them.
“It’s been great to learn from experienced bowlers like Chase, Thommo, and Bailey whose played some really good first division cricket for a few years already,” the hat-trick taker said.
“I’ve only played a handful of senior matches. Hopefully I can keep my spot in the ones but you know your spot is never really locked in. I just have to make sure when I get the ball I make the most of the opportunity.”
Irymple take on Nichols Point at Henshilwood Oval in the first two-day round of the season.
