Cricket
2 February, 2025
Fitzpatrick's amazing hat-trick leads Charlton to victory
Charlton's Elliott Fitzpatrick and Watchem's Austin Dean took hat-tricks in the Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association B-grade competition, with Fitzpatrick securing his with the first three balls of the game against St Marys.
Fitzpatrick's hat-trick was one to remember, with St Marys' batsmen Jacob Thomas, Riley Adams and Aiden Keys losing their stumps through accurate bowling at Charlton Park.
Fitzpatrick, 18, was thrilled with his hat trick, the first of his young career, and said the celebration was huge.
"The ball was swinging a little bit, and there was seam movement, and I just focused on putting down three good balls," Fitzpatrick said.
"I was thinking about putting the ball in the same spot on the hat-trick ball.
"When the ball hit the stumps, the celebration took the wind out of me as it was a hot day."
St Marys were bowled out for 40 with Sean Smith scoring 16. Fitzpatrick finished with figures of 3/5 (3), while Patrick Soulsby joined in on the action, taking 3/9 (4).
Earlier in the day, Charlton won the toss, batted and scored 4/301. Billy Sexton was the top scorer with 79, with handy contributions from Patrick Soulsby, 63, and Hugh Sait, 45. Sujeesh Mohanan Sreekala played a memorable cameo, hitting 46 off 21 balls, including five sixes.
Lincoln Westerland, 2/42 (7), and Matt Hartnett, 2/40 (5), were St Marys best bowlers.
Fitzpatrick is now leading the competition with 20 wickets at an impressive average of 7.2. Last season, he took nine wickets after missing some of the season due to a broken wrist.
With Charlton on top of the ladder, Fitzpatrick hopes it will be their year after losing last year's grand final to Donald Jeffcott.
"We have been up the top for most of the season, and we have struggled to get over the line in finals, so we are hoping this year will be different," Fitzpatrick said.
Austin Dean had a blistering innings and took six wickets. He secured his hat-trick in Watchem's loss to Donald Jeffcott at the Watchem Cricket Ground. After winning the toss and batting, Donald Jeffcott were bowled out for 284 after 38 overs.
Sam Postlethwaite top scored with 74, and Andrew Bayles chipped in with 62. Dean's hat-trick victims were Kalon Green, caught by Daniel Slater, Jake Needs, bowled, and Jacob Donnellon, trapped in front for LBW.
Watchem were bowled out in the 38th over for 173. Ty Colbert led the way with 71, opening the batting, with Jam Borden scoring 30.
Ryan Bath was the pick of the Donald Jeffcott bowlers, taking 5/29 (7).
In the other match, the Southern Mallee Giants secured a solid 47-run win over Birchip at the Birchip Recreation Reserve.
The Giants finished at 5/185 after their 40 overs, led by Dale Shannon with 87 and Kybe Bellinger with 56.
Birchip put up a good fight in the chase but was bowled out for 138 in the 31st over. Mark Trollope top scored with 43. For the Giants, Kyle Bellinger took 4/40 (8), while Finn Shannon took 2/6 (2) for the Giants.