JP Duminy Takes First South Africa Hat-Trick at Cricket World Cup

JP Duminy may be viewed as a part-time spinner in South Africa, but he made a huge name for himself on the biggest stage by becoming the first player from his country to take a hat-trick at a Cricket World Cup.

South Africa have an abysmal record in the knockout stages of World Cups, but Duminy—aided by Imran Tahir—set them on course for the semi-finals with a brilliant effort with the ball against Sri Lanka.

"

4 wickets for 2 runs in 9 balls. Usually we see this kinda stuff when #SA is batting in knockout games. Boot is in the other foot now #SAvSL

— Anish Sahadevan (@scorpiosaurus) March 18, 2015"

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat, seemingly confident that their star batsmen would pile on a huge score and put South Africa under pressure.

Duminy had other ideas, as he claimed a superb hat-trick, only the second ever by a South African in ODIs.

"

JP Duminy the second South African ever to get an ODI hat-trick. Charl Langeveldt the only other #savsl #cwc15

— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) March 18, 2015"

The first of the hat-trick deliveries owed more to the batsman than the bowler, as Angelo Mathews ran down the wicket and attempted to whip the ball over midwicket but only succeeded in picking out Faf du Plessis.

That was the final ball of Duminy’s eighth over; at the start of his ninth he ramped up the pressure yet further.

Throwing the ball up outside off stump, Nuwan Kulasekara played for turn that was not there and feathered a catch behind to Quinton de Kock. To the batsman's credit, he walked with the umpire seemingly not hearing anything.

One ball later, Duminy etched his name in the history books with the wicket of Tharindu Kaushal who played all around a straight one and was plumb lbw.

"

WATCH: JP Duminy takes a hat-trick at the #CWC15 #fireitup. See the action on Sky Sports World Cup http://t.co/tBr7bawEt1

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 18, 2015"

The job has been set up by the bowlers, it's now up to South Africa's batsmen to get them into the semi-finals.