SYDNEY: Strike bowler Mitchell Starc became the first man to take two hat-tricks in the same first-class game in Australia on Tuesday as he hit ominous form ahead of the Ashes Test series against England.

The left-arm paceman became only the eighth player in first-class cricket history — and the first in 39 years — to achieve the feat as he spearheaded New South Wales to victory over Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield.

Having removed Jason Behrendorff, David Moody and Simon Mackin in WA’s first innings to complete his first career hat-trick, Starc then got both Behrendorff and Moody again off the final two deliveries of his 15th over.

Jono Wells then edged Starc on the first ball of his next over to Australia and NSW captain Steve Smith at first slip to end the match.

Starc finished with the match figures of seven for 97 in NSW’s 171-run victory.

He also took a career-best 8-73 for NSW against South Australia under lights at Adelaide Oval and looks in ominous touch ahead of the Test series.

Australian leg-spinner Jimmy Matthews remains the only player to take two hat-tricks in a Test match after he did it against South Africa in Manchester in 1912.

Starc has been in ominous rhythm ahead of the Test summer, having registered a career-best eight for 73 for New South Wales against South Australia at Adelaide Oval last month.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2017