That was what was going through St Thomas’ student Gus Wiseman’s mind as he moved in to try and take a hat-trick.
The batter missed and Wiseman loudly appealed for an lbw, which was not upheld by the umpire – the ball sliding down leg.
It would have been his first-ever hat-trick, but still capped a red-letter day for the 16-year-old, who took six-for-nine in Darfield’s nine-wicket win over Cheviot in the Canterbury Country premier one-day competition earlier this month.
“ I knew it was not out before I’d given it a go,” he said, “ but it was quite a big (appeal) from everyone, it was pretty good to see.”
Wiseman was playing his first game of the season for Darfield after playing for St Thomas’ until the end of the school year.
He was happy to do his part for the team.
“ I felt like I found my rhythm quite early on and I guess it was just good to get a few wickets for the team and obviously get the win for Darfield.”
Introduced to the attack with Cheviot 35/2, Wiseman struck in his first, third, and fourth overs – all without conceding a run.
Two fours and a single in his last two overs spoiled his figures a little, but he still took three more wickets.
The figures were Wiseman’s best in any form of cricket, at any level – and the best in the Country competition since Will Greenslade took 7/20 for Darfield in the 2022/23 season.
Wiseman said his goal was to play as much as possible for the club before going back to school duties with St Thomas’ next year.
“ I just want to keep on performing and putting my name out there, and I guess in the future if opportunities do come up, then I’ll be looking to take them.”
