Cricket: Franklin cements place in record books

1.00pm

DHAKA - It took James Franklin less than 10 minutes to achieve what a New Zealand cricketer hasn't been able to master in 28 years.

In the space of three balls spread over two overs yesterday, Franklin became just the second New Zealand test bowler to complete a hat-trick since Peter Petherick skittled three Pakistanis in Lahore in 1976.

On a hot Dhaka morning, the 23-year-old left-armer tore through the Bangladesh tail on the second day of the first test to take his place in cricket's archives.

"It was kind of bizarre to start with. When the wicket fell it didn't really hit me what had happened," Franklin told NZPA.

"I think things like that don't dawn on you for a couple of weeks. It's a nice thought though to say you've got a hat-trick in test cricket."

Franklin's magical moment began with the fifth ball of his first over when he drew an edge from batsmen Mohammad Rana which flew to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

The second victim, Mohammad Rafique, mimicked the previous shot with the ball flying wider to Scott Styris at second slip.

Franklin had two down but had to wait for the third over to be bowled.

Shortly afterwards he steamed in with Tapash Baisya facing. Baisya failed to offer a shot and the ball smashed into off-stump sending Franklin into rapture as he became just the 34th test player to complete the feat.

"There was a break and a bit of time to think about it. It was just a case of trying to get the ball on the stumps and if you get it in the right areas often enough you create opportunities," Franklin said.

"That first ball he nicked it, the second ball he nicked it and the next ball bowled. I think a little bit of luck came into it."

Franklin previously bagged a hat-trick for his club Wellington Collegians two seasons ago, but this was his maiden one at first class level.

"I've got two wickets in a row a few times, and there's always the apprehension that something might happen on the third ball, but you never think it's really going to happen.

"But to see it unfold in a test match is pretty special."

Yesterday's haul was also Franklin's first five-wicket bag in a test after he finished with five for 28 from 17 overs.

The swing bowler now has 18 wickets from four tests.

Petherick, then aged 34, completed his hat-trick on debut and eventually finished the match with five for 129 with New Zealand losing by six wickets.

Despite yesterday's achievement, Franklin was also keen to acknowledge his teammates while trying to keep the effort in perspective.

"I'm pretty stoked to say I've got a hat-trick -- not only for myself but also for the rest of the bowling unit who all did a good job.

"It's special, but at the end of the day it's a game of cricket and I was just trying to do my job and I got lucky."

- NZPA