On 22nd May 1907, the charismatic all-rounder Albert Trott became the first man to score two hat-tricks in the same innings of a first class man. Trott played test matches for both Australia and England and till now is the only player to hit a ball over the top of the Lords’ dressing room. His test average for Australia is 102.50, even higher than Bradman.
The match in question was also the benefit match for Trott played at Lords’. The teams were Middlesex, for whom Trott was playing against Somerset. The record came in the fourth innings of the match. Middlesex won the toss and decided to bat. They put up 286 in their first innings with Trott contributing just one run. Somerset conceded a 50 runs lead as their first innings concluded with 236. Middlesex scored 213 in their second innings as Trott contributed with valuable 35 runs in the middle order.
With a target of 264 in front of them, Somerset started well as the openers added 56 runs. They lost their second wicket at 74. The match turned soon after as Trott got in a tremendous bowling form. With the score showing 77, he got the wicket of Lewis as leg before. Poyntz, Woods and Robson, all three were bowled in next three deliveries as Trott completed a brilliant four-in-four. Somerset slumped to 77 for six and their chase was derailed. But Trott was not yet done. After Frank Tarrant took the seventh Somerset wicket Trott picked the last three wickets with the score at 97. Again the batsmen Mordaunt, Wickham and Bailey were gone on consecutive deliveries and Trott completed his second hat-trick and finished with 7-20 in the second innings. It was great win for his team but finishing the match early was not so beneficial for Albert Trott as that meant lesser purse from the gate money.
Later in 1963/64 season, Joginder Rao became the second person to claim two hat-tricks in the same innings of a first class match.
