4 wickets in 4 balls: Former Karnataka woman cricketer Anuradha sets world record as Germany captain

By Aprameya .C

Bengaluru: Former Karnataka cricketer Anuradha Doddaballapur created a world record on Friday (August 14) by taking four wickets in four balls for Germany in a women’s T20I against Austria.

Anuradha, 33, who is from Bengaluru, became the first woman bowler to achieve this rare feat. Thanks to her record bowling figures of 5/1 in three overs (3-2-1-5), Germany thrashed Austria by 137 runs at the Seebarn Cricket Ground, Seebarn, Lower Austria.

Germany now hold an unassailable 4-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.

In men's cricket, Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka (during 50-over World Cup in 2007) and Afghanistan's Rashid Khan (in a T20I against Ireland) have taken four wickets in four balls.

Batting first, Germany scored 198/0 in 20 overs with Christina Gough hitting a century (101 not out off 70 balls with 13 fours). Her opening partner Janet Ronalds made an unbeaten 68 off 60 with six fours. There was not a single six in Germany's innings.

In reply, Austria were restricted to 61/9 with German captain and medium pace bowler Anuradha being the wrecker-in-chief. She came on to bowl in the 15th over of the innings and took a hat-trick and made it even more memorable with four in four.

After bowling two dot balls, Anuradha had Jo-Antoinette Stiglitz caught by Ronalds at first slip for one and then clean bowled her next three victims (Tugce Kazanci, Anisha Nookala and Priya Sabu).

It was a four-wicket maiden, and Austria was tottering at 40/7 in 15 overs. Anuradha picked one more wicket, in the 19th over of the innings, getting Harjot Dhaliwal LBW for two.

Anuradha’s former coach Irfan Sait was elated with her record. “It is a fantastic achievement,” Irfan told Asianet Newsable.

Recalling her days in Bengaluru, Irfan said, “She was 12/13 years when she came to our academy (Karnataka Institute of Cricket). She played for Karnataka Under-16, Under-19 and the senior teams. She has worked hard to help German cricket.”

Anuradha moved to England for higher studies and later played for Northumberland County there. She completed her PhD in molecular cardiology in Germany. She has also done her Level 2 coaching course. She was instrumental in starting a women's club team in Frankfurt.

Despite her world record, Anuradha did not win the Player-of-the-match award. Her teammate Christina got the honour for her century.