Balmain v St George at Drummoyne Oval in 2000-01 is one day I'll never forget

Keiran Knight | April 12, 2024

We all have days that we never forget. For me, it was mostly team-related and I treasure being lucky enough to be part of a first-grade premiership in 1998/99 season with the Balmain, (now known as Sydney Cricket Club). A great group of tigers who played for each other.

There is one day that does stand out, personally. It was the day of the official opening of the new grandstand at our home ground, Drummoyne Oval. To celebrate the occasion Balmain put on a big lunch and many dignitaries from Cricket NSW were in attendance.

One the day Balmain were playing St George. One of the great clubs in grade cricket history and a long-standing rivalry. Saints were one of the strongest clubs in the 90s. 

St. George won the toss and elected to bat on what was a pretty good track. Nathan Catalano was batting extremely well and was 60 odd before lunch. I was called into the attack to bowl some left arm straight breaks and bowling from the southern end of the ground as we had a westerly breeze going that way. I was never overly comfortable bowling from that end but this day was different.

From memory, I picked up Nathan's wicket just before the lunch break. A caught and bowled. We went to lunch and I didn’t think I’d be bowling straight after lunch but the skipper threw me the ball. At the crease was Graeme Rummans and Scott Thompson. I was getting some drift and some bounce.

Lucky enough I managed to find an inside edge of Rummo’s bat and Greg Hayne took a pretty easy grab. I didn't really enjoy bowling to left-handers so to get the wicket I was pretty happy considering how good a player Rummo was.

Nathan Pilon came out to bat so I did my standard thing for right-handers and went round the wicket. This ball again drifted and bounced into Nathan's pad off his glove and flew out to the leg side. Matt Schenke was under the lid on the leg side and stuck his paw up, knocked it into the air, turned and dived to take the catch. Two bat-pad catches in successive deliveries. Two pretty easy decisions for umpire Paul Nicolas.

Paul Ryan was next in. Another bloody left-hander. Back over the wicket to him and our captain Neil Maxwell bought in a few extra fielders as this was the hat trick ball. I had 2 slips a bat-pad and both sides, a leg fully and a leg slip. What the hell I thought, not every day you’re on a hat trick.

I remember thinking I just had to hit the length I bowled the previous to balls. Ryno takes his guard and I wait patiently for him.

I come in let go. A lot shorter than the two previous balls. Paul goes back to hit me through square leg. I was thinking "what a hunk of junk to ball on a hat trick ball".

The ball got a little bit more than Paul thought. He managed an inside edge onto his thigh guard. Cries of “catch it” went up everywhere. Greg Hayne took a couple of steps, Maxy did too and yelled “mine” and Maxy secured the catch. I turned and appealed with the rest of the boys. Umpire put his finger up. Bat pad catches as an umpire are never easy to give. Yet Paul gave 3 in 3 balls.

I reckon it was the fastest I ever run to my teammates. I was never blessed with speed, that's why I bowled spin. Jubilation ensued for a little bit.

I remember finishing the over and walking to deep square leg. The crowd of about 30 or 40 gave a lively reception and I remember thinking I really need a drink. Trying to process what had just happened. It was a surreal moment in the game I will never forget.

I finished that day with 6 wickets in a game we unfortunately lost by about 30 runs.

The year after I moved to Albury. The club gave me a framed hat that included my career stats and the scorecard from this day.

There was also a message in the frame from all 3 batsmen I dismissed in this hat trick saying that they wished I had moved a year earlier. Obviously tongue in cheek as they were guys whom I respected immensely.

At the end of the day, we are all mates who loved to share a beer and a chat post-match.

Cheers

Keiran Knight

Aka Gomer.

It was an tremendous thrill to receive this wonderful gift from Balmain Cricket Club and my team mates