Carole Ann Hodges- the first women to take hat-trick (Source: @cricketworldcup/x.com)
The World is always in awe of Mitchell Starc’s sheer pace, Jasprit Bumrah’s deadly yorkers, and Rashid Khan’s magical spin. Now, the excitement extends to the women’s game, where Shabnim Ismail’s lightning speed, Deepti Sharma’s mesmerizing spin, and Sophie Ecclestone’s unwavering consistency are captivating fans worldwide.
In cricket, four-wicket and five-wicket hauls are celebrated milestones, but a hat-trick - taking three wickets in consecutive deliveries is truly iconic. Achieving this feat on the field is no small task, yet several bowlers have done it to etch their names in history. Despite women’s cricket blooming later in the cricket but, the women cricketers shattered the stage with their brilliance.
Hat-tricks are always special, but in the World Cup, they become legendary. As the Women’s World Cup gears up, have you ever wondered who claimed the very first hat-trick in its history? Let’s explore the first superstar who achieved the feat.
Carole Ann Hodges – the first woman to take World Cup hat-trick
As the waves of excitement go up and down with every century and every dismissal, the deadly bowling spell added more thrills to that. Among all bowling feats, hat-tricks stand out, instantly turning a bowler into a hero. While men’s cricket has long celebrated such moments of brilliance, women’s cricket took time to reach that stage, but when it did, the impact was unforgettable.
As the first edition of the Women’s Cricket World Cup was inaugurated in 1973, the first hat-trick took place in 1993. Hosted by England for the second time, this edition became the stage for a historic moment that would etch itself into cricketing history.
In the second match of the tournament, England Women faced Denmark Women, and the cricket world witnessed a historic moment. Defending the total, ace bowler Carole Ann Hodges tore through Denmark’s batting lineup with her exceptional bowling.
Denmark’s woes peaked at the 34th over, struggling under immense pressure. As Hodges ran in to bowl the over, she struck decisively, dismissing Susanne Neilsen on the third delivery. Continuing the dominance, she removed Pia Thomsen and Heidi Kjaer in the next two deliveries and secured the hat-trick.
Carole Ann Hodges’ hat-trick was more than just three wickets in a row; it signaled the dawn of a new era in women’s cricket. By claiming the first-ever hat-trick on the grand stage of the Women’s ODI World Cup, Hodges paved the way for many more remarkable feats by the game’s rising female superstars.
England Women clinch stunning victory
As the match became iconic with the maiden hat-trick, England Women secured a massive victory. Batting first, Janette Brittin and Helen Plimmer’s outstanding 147-run opening partnership gave a dream start.
After Plimmer walked away, scoring 77 runs, Brittin smashed a hundred and played a 104-run knock. Complemented by Barbara Daniels’ unbeaten 60, the duo propelled the team to a strong total of 286, showcasing a masterclass of batting prowess.
While defending the total, the English bowlers showcased their dominance. Clare Taylor and Carole Hodges each claimed four wickets, leaving Denmark Women reeling. Their relentless performance powered England Women to a commanding 239-run victory, a display of sheer cricketing supremacy.
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