Leg-spinner Justin Behrens took a hat-trick in Wednesday’s Cape Town Club Cricket League fixture against Durbanville Cricket Club.
Behrens dismissed all-rounder Bradley Petersen and tail-enders Tashwin Lucas and Jody Lawrence to complete the hat-trick.
He ended with figures of four for three in two overs, as Durbanville Cricket Club were limited to 73 for seven in response to Rondebosch Cricket Club’s 122 for four.
The result ensured Rondebosch Cricket Club first position on the eight-team points table. They will meet Durbanville Cricket Club on Friday. The winner of that match will advance to the final.
Bellville Cricket Club and Victoria Cricket Club have also secured play-off berths. Milnerton Cricket Club, Kraaifontein Cricket Club, Northerns Goodwood Cricket Club and Tygerberg Cricket Club have been eliminated from contention for a play-off berth.
Why is Behrens playing for Rondebosch Cricket Club?
Behrens played for Western Province Cricket Club in the 2023-24 Western Province Cricket Assocation premier league.
Unlike the Cape Premier League, players represent clubs rather than franchises in the inaugural Cape Town Club Cricket League. Participating clubs are allowed to invite players from clubs not involved in the tournament to be in the squad and XI.
Behrens is an example of this. Others include Claremont Cricket Club’s Matthew de Villiers and the University of the Western Cape Cricket Club’s Kai Curran playing for Rondebosch Cricket Club and Durbanville Cricket Club, respectively.