Watch: In just his third professional T20 game, Australian left-arm wrist-spinner Paddy Dooley claimed 4-16 as part of a match-winning display against Perth Scorchers.
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Dooley, who bowls with an unusual action where both arms windmill before his gather, made his debut in the previous edition of the BBL, and has started this season’s campaign for Hobart Hurricanes.
Defending 172, Dooley removed all of Faf du Plessis, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis and Ashton Agar, providing the Hurricanes with their initial breakthrough before ripping through their middle order at a vital time.
His wicket of du Plessis was a delivery that skidded on and bowled the former South Africa captain who was backing away to play into the offside, before Hobson was trapped lbw.
His last two wickets were the result of pressure being built as Inglis was caught in the deep and Agar advanced down the track only to miss the ball and be stumped.
Dooley’s action has attracted many comments, with some remarking on how it is similar in some ways to Jasprit Bumrah, something that is not a coincidence.
“Probably four years ago when India were over for the summer of cricket,” he explained of when his new action started. “I was just in the backyard on Christmas Day practicing some Jasprit Bumrahs. It kind of worked for my rhythm so I just went with it and it goes all right now. If it distracts the batters when they first see me, it’s an added bonus.”
Watch: All four of Paddy Dooley’s fantastic four-wicket-haul
Paddy Dooley is pumped and rightly so!#BBL12 pic.twitter.com/XT4dzZDxC7
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 19, 2022
Ok so who else is obsessed with Paddy Dooley? 🙋🙋♂️#BBL12 pic.twitter.com/abnET1IoLX
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 19, 2022
Ya kidding! Paddy Dooley is turning this game on its head!
He picks up his third for the night and Scorchers now need 36 from 29 #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/hGMAmHLbsg
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 19, 2022
Paddy Dooley might just be leading the Hurricanes to victory!#BBL12 pic.twitter.com/ZDPxaijVrJ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 19, 2022