OTD | Former Australian leg spinner Jimmy Matthews took hat-tricks in each innings of the Old Trafford Test against South Africa in 1912

On this day in 1912, Jimmy Matthews, Australia spinner made history as he became the only bowler in history of Test Cricket to take two hat-tricks in one day. Matthews, the leg-spinner, played only eight Tests throughout his international career, getting 16 wickets in all.

However, he succeeded to create an unforgettable impact during his short Test career, with an achievement that may be duplicated in the future. The accomplishment was accomplished in the first Test of the triangular tournament including England, Australia, and South Africa. 

The Test, held at Old Trafford in Manchester, included seven debutants, four from South Africa as well as three from Australia. Warren Bardsley and Charles Kelleway batted first and smashed centuries, helping Australia to 448 in 122.3 overs. Sid Pelger was South Africa’s best bowler, taking 6/105 inside 45.3 overs.

South Africa had to continue battling at 54/4 after Bill Whitty smashed through their top order on Day 2. Aubrey Faulkner, who battled alone for an undefeated century, received a little assistance from the lower middle order, pushing the score above 250 runs. At 265/7 and with two set batters in Faulkner and Rolland Beaumont, SA hoped to reduce the deficit as much as possible. Matthews subsequently picked up Beaumont at 31, trapping Pegler and Tommy Ward with consecutive deliveries to clinch his hat-trick.

SA was asked to follow on, behind by 183 runs on Day 2. They were shortly reduced to 70/5, facing an innings defeat. Matthews enters the fray and weaves his magic once more, catching Herbie Taylor, Reggie Schwartz, and Tommy War from successive deliveries to complete a remarkable second hat-trick on day two.

There have been numerous examples of bowlers completing two hat-tricks during first-class matches, but never during a single Test, certainly not within a day. This was surely a great record to have and one that doesn’t seem like breaking any time soon.