Flashback: The only bowler to take a Test hat-trick at Lord’s

For any bowler, taking a hat-trick in Test cricket is one of the big dreams. And if that achievement comes at the mecca of cricket i.e. Lord’s Ground, it becomes more special. But, do you know, only one bowler has been able to pick a hat-trick at the Lord’s. This record belongs to former South African bowler Geoff Griffin.

Born on 12 June 1939 in Greytown, South Africa, Geoff Griffin was a master of many talents but decided to pursue a career in cricket. After school, he started playing for his state team. He was giving brilliant performances in every match for the side. Eventually, when he turned 20, he found a place in the national team and was the youngest player to debut for South Africa at the time.

The historical record

📅 #OnThisDay in 1960… @OfficialCSA‘s Geoff Griffin took the only Test hat-trick ever to be achieved at this fine Ground 👏 #LoveLords pic.twitter.com/B0zcqyUnOW

— Lord’s Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) June 24, 2018

When Griffin came out to play against England in the most prestigious cricket ground ‘Lord’s’ in 1960, perhaps no one had any idea what this player was going to do. He took a hat-trick against the legendary English team in this match. He dismissed MJK Smith, Peter Walker and Fred Trueman off consecutive deliveries. He became the first cricketer to take a Test hat-trick for South Africa. Not only this, but he also became the only cricketer in the world to take a hat-trick at Lord’s. His record stands to this day.

The controversy that became the subject of discussion

In the match in which Geoff Griffin took a hat-trick, 11 no-balls were given during his bowling in the same match. After this match, in an exhibition match, the umpire repeatedly gave a no-ball during his bowling. But this was not to go past the no-ball crease or to throw the ball in the air above the waist of the batsman. Rather it was a no-ball for ‘throwing’. He had a jerk in his hand and during the bowling, it seemed to everyone that his action was not according to the rules.

The reason behind his suspect bowling action

It was quite surprising that the tour of England on which Griffin took a hat-trick at Lord’s ground proved to be the last series of his international career. After that, he was never included in the team and the reason was the same – throwing. Now the question was, why was he not able to improve his action, why could he not save his career even after all the warnings?

In fact, when Griffin was in school, he was seriously injured in an accident. His hand and especially the elbow were more affected by that accident, due to which his hand could never catch the right angle of the bowling action and due to this, his international career ended.