Lasith Malinga caused a stir when, as a 24-year-old slinging tearaway, he took four wickets in four balls at the 2007 World Cup and left South Africa wobbling. Twelve years on, it seems not much has changed. Not the highlights in his hair, nor the wiliness and skill. New Zealand were at the receiving end this time, in a T20I, falling to 15 for 4 in the span of four balls. Here's how ESPNcricinfo's ball-by-ball commentators from the two matches called the action.
Sri Lanka v New Zealand, 3rd T20I, Pallekele, 2019
2.3 Malinga to Munro, OUT, there comes Malinga's 100th T20I wicket and he has bowled Munro again! Little similar to how he got Munro in the first T20I but this wasn't a yorker. It was swinging in, in pitched on middle stump and it found the gap between Munro's bat and pad to rattle the leg stump. What a sight that is for a fast bowler
C Munro b Malinga 12 (12b 1x4 1x6) SR: 100.00
2.4 Malinga to Rutherford, OUT, loud, loud appeal first ball, it's turned down and Malinga, the captain, has reviewed immediately. This one also to a left-hander, also swinging in, also missed by the batsman, and he's hit right in front of leg stump after the ball pitched on middle. Ball-tracking says it's hitting, the crowd erupts! It might have looked not out initially but seems like Rutherford took a tiny step towards middle stump which went in Malinga's favour
HD Rutherford lbw b Malinga 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
2.5 Malinga to de Grandhomme, OUT, he has done it, three in three, Malinga has taken a hat-trick when his team needs it the most! Dear o dear, they're checking for the no-ball and this is so close! The foot is pitching on the line and it seems like, on impact, a fraction of a tiny part of the heel was behind in the crease. It couldn't have been closer than that without being a no-ball. And how's this for a hat-trick delivery: a searing yorker with late swing to an in-form Colin de Grandhomme who was squared up and the ball took the base of off and middle stumps. What a sight, what a bowler. He points to the number on his jersey in celebration. It says 99!
C de Grandhomme b Malinga 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
2.6 Malinga to Taylor, OUT, FOUR IN FOUR! Is this the 2007 World Cup all over again?! Ross Taylor this time, and he gets the same treament - an unplayable yorker. He looked more still than de Grandhomme at the crease but it didn't matter. This one is headed right for the foot, it swings late from around leg to middle stump and it sneaks under Taylor's bat to get him plumb
LRPL Taylor lbw b Malinga 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
****
Sri Lanka v South Africa, Super Eights, World Cup 2007, Providence
44.5 Malinga to Pollock, OUT, BINGO! Finally Malinga strikes, that is a superb bit of bowling. It's a slower ball on the stumps, Pollock just does not pick it, plays inside the line of the ball and loses his leg stump. Even with the game all but gone Sri Lanka are fighting. Pollock played a good hand but now he's gone!
SM Pollock b Malinga 13 (23m 24b 1x4 0x6) SR: 54.16
44.6 Malinga to Hall, OUT, ANOTHER! Andrew Hall goes off the very first ball! It's another speared-in yorker, Hall just about manages to dig it out, but he can't keep the ball down ... it bobs up into the air for the man at cover to pouch easily! Is there a twist left in this game
AJ Hall c Tharanga b Malinga 0 (2m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
46.1 Malinga to Kallis, OUT, Would you believe it? Malinga has got the hat-trick! Full, furious, outside off stump, Kallis goes for a square-drive and nicks it behind. Loud appeal. Kallis stays rooted. Even louder appeal and Harper raises the fatal finger. SA eight down and choking real badly.
JH Kallis c †Sangakkara b Malinga 86 (187m 110b 4x4 0x6) SR: 78.18
46.2 Malinga to Ntini, OUT, And then they were one! Malinga gets four in four. Unbelievable! Screaming yorker and Ntini drives, plays all over it and ball crashes into the middle stump. Malinga is slinging down magic deliveries and SA are nine down.
M Ntini b Malinga 0 (2m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00