Alfonso Thomas picks up four wickets in four balls

Alfonso Thomas

Somerset seamer Alfonso Thomas completed a rare feat by picking up four wickets in four balls.

Thomas dismissed James Anyon, Rory Hamilton-Brown and had in-form batsman Ed Joyce to complete his hat-trick. He then came in the next over and bowled Matt Machan after fellow bowler Peter Trego had gotten rid of Chris Nash for 12 runs.

The fiery bowling spell saw Sussex slump from 33-0 to 33-5.

The 37-year-old South African became the 18th bowler to achieve the feat in county cricket and the first since 2000. Gary Butcher of Surrey was the last bowler to achieve this remarkable feat 14 years back.

Thomas also became the second South African to take four wickets in four balls. Charles Willoughby was the first South African to achieve this feat for Cape Cobras against Dolphins in a first class game.

Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka was the first bowler to achieve this feat at international level which he did it in the 2007 World Cup against South Africa.