OTD 2018: Megan Schutt’s Historic T20I Hat-Trick

On March 26, 2018, Megan Schutt produced a historic performance at the iconic Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, becoming the first Australian woman to claim a hat-trick in T20 Internationals during a tri-series clash against India women’s team. Her sensational spell not only etched her name in the record books but also played a decisive role in Australia’s 36-run win, knocking India out of the tri-series. 

After Australia posted a strong total of 186 batting first, Schutt wasted no time in making an impact with the ball. Despite conceding 10 runs off the first four deliveries of her opening over, she turned things around dramatically. She first dismissed Smriti Mandhana, India’s most consistent batter in the series, with a full delivery that deflected onto the stumps. On the very next ball, she removed Mithali Raj, beating her with an inswinger that dismantled the stumps. In the space of two deliveries, Schutt had reduced India to early trouble and seized the momentum for her side with two big blows. 

She returned shortly after the big over, Schutt dismissed Deepti Sharma, who holed out to mid-off, to complete a sensational hattrick, leaving India struggling at 26/3. At that stage, Schutt had already broken the backbone of India’s batting lineup with a brilliant display of swing and control. 

However, India found resistance through young Jemimah Rodrigues, who played a fearless knock and stitched together a partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Just as India looked to rebuild, they lost wickets at a crucial moment. Rodrigues, who had brought up a fluent half-century, was eventually dismissed while trying to accelerate, halting India’s recovery. 

Earlier, Australia’s innings had been built on a record 114-run third-wicket partnership between Elyse Villani and Beth Mooney, which laid the foundation for a competitive total. That platform proved more than enough, thanks to Schutt’s brilliance with the ball. 

India eventually finished on 150, falling well short as Australia sealed a comprehensive victory. Schutt’s spell stood out not just for the wickets but for the timing of her breakthroughs, consistently halting India’s momentum at key stages. 

Her hat-trick remains a landmark achievement in Australian women’s cricket and a testament to her skill, accuracy, and ability to deliver under pressure. Even today, it is remembered as one of the most iconic bowling performances in women’s T20 Internationals. She was eventually named Player of the Match for her historic performance. This was the seventh instance in women’s T20Is, where a hattrick was taken by a bowler.

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