King’s duo pull off early hat-tricks
IT was six of the best from two King’s School cricketers as fast bowlers Josh Rajendran and Billy Griffiths both produced early season hat tricks.
Josh, 15, from Prestbury who also represents Macclesfield CC and Cheshire District XI was playing for King’s under-15s against Newcastle Grammar School. His first wicket was caught at cover, the second was a pin point yorker that hit middle stump and the third, in classic style, hit the top of the off peg.
A right arm swing bowler not short on guile and artistry, Josh calmly said: “Before the third ball, I was quite confident I’d get the wicket because I’ve done it before and everything was just coming out right in that over.”
Billy, 14, from Bollington, an out and out pace bowler was playing for the King’s under-14s against Wirral Grammar School and shattered the wickets three times in succession. His first ball was fast and straight, the second swung into the wickets from outside off and the third again in McGrath and Anderson style clipped the top of off.
Billy said: “When bowling the third delivery I felt a little nervous but wasn’t expecting to get a hat trick. I was thinking: just bowl it on the stumps and hope he misses it.”
King’s Head of Cricket Steve Moores said: “Some bowlers never get a hat trick, to get one this early in the season is special, to get two is remarkable and I’m sure Josh and Billy will remember those moments for the rest of their lives.”