HAMILTON and District Junior Cricket Association is celebrating the latest star within its ranks after Xander McIntosh fulfilled every bowler’s dream in taking a hat-trick on the last day of the Portland Under-13 Country Week carnival.

The 12-year-old was playing in his first representative carnival this past week when he was thrown the ball against South West Green in the sixth and eighth overs which each cost only three runs.

The leg spin bowler was brough back into the attack for the fateful 22nd over with seven wickets down and him just looking to contain the opposition, but after a first ball dot, he struck like a viper with the next three deliveries.

Firstly, he tossed the ball up and watched on as Dustin Cooper held the chance offered.

Ball two saw the same delivery sent down and this time Jay Casey was on the end of the catch offered at short forward square leg, but when the hat-trick ball was defended by the batsman it appeared that it wasn’t to be, but on hitting the pitch after the bat the ball spun back sharply onto the stumps and pandemonium struck the players and spectators alike.

“Cricket is my favourite sport,” McIntosh said.

“I learned so much from the carnival, and to take the hat-trick topped off the week

“I have learned heaps to take back to my St Andrew’s team, such as the importance of talking to each other and to always listen as well.”