English quick starts match with hat-trick

Northamptonshire recovered from the worst start imaginable to defeat Worcestershire by 21 runs in an incredible one-day match at New Road on Sunday.

Worcestershire fast bowler Joe Leach claimed a hat-trick off the first balls of Northants' innings as the visitors slumped to 6-19 inside eight overs. 

Leach's feat has been achieved once before in international cricket; Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas took a hat-trick with the opening three balls of their 2003 World Cup match against Bangladesh, guiding his side to a 10-wicket win. 

A much-needed 50-run stand by surviving opening batsman Josh Cobb (32) and South African quick Rory Kleinveldt (33) gave the Northants innings some starch before handy contributions from Graeme White (27) and Olly Stone (12no) lifted the side to triple-figures.

Leach and new ball partner Jack Shantry each claimed four wickets to help bowl Northants out for what looked a paltry 126.

It proved more than enough.

Worcestershire’s innings never got going, losing the trio of Tom Kohler-Cladmore, Tom Fell and Joe Clarke for two runs to be 3-18 before the 10th over was completed.

Wickets fell at regular intervals, as Azharullah picked up four scalps, while Stone and Kleinveldt both snared two wickets.

While wicketkeeper Ben Cox was at the crease the hosts remained a chance, but when the right-hander was the last man out for 36, Worcestershire were dismissed for 105 to lose by 21 runs.

Click above to learn more about how to stream the Ashes and more cricket