Watch: Simon Harmer took a hat-trick with his first three balls for Essex in their T20 Blastwin over Sussex.

It was only the third Blast hat-trick by an Essex bowler, and the first for the team since Shaun Tait took one against Nottinghamshire ten years ago.

Captain Harmer brought himself on in the third over as Sussex pursued 164, and scythed through the middle order, claiming Tom Alsop, Shadab Khan and Michael Burgess in the space of three deliveries.

Alsop’s dismissal came off a loopy delivery that found the outside edge to short third man. Next ball, Shadab swept a delivery straight into the hands of square leg. Facing the hat-trick ball, keeper Burgess went for a sweep as well but misread the trajectory of the delivery and was trapped plumb in front.

Barring James Cole (35) and Oli Carter (27), there was little resistance from the rest. Harmer finished with 4-0-28-4, his fourth four-for in the format. Matt Critchley was an able supporting hand, finishing with 3-28 as Essex completed their second win in two games.

Watch Simon Harmer’s T20 Blast hat-trick:

A hat-trick to start your spell! 😱

Simon Harmer, you magnificent man 😍#Blast23 https://t.co/zgpTXCDTjp pic.twitter.com/zBEQdlByYQ

— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) June 1, 2023