Newcastle bowler nabs 10 wickets in a single innings, including a hat-trick

A 65-year-old cricketer from Newcastle etched his name in the history books on the weekend, taking all 10 wickets in a single innings, including a hat-trick.

A life member of Newcastle City Cricket Club, Bradley O'Dell completed the extraordinary feat during a fourth-grade match against Wallsend District Cricket Club on Saturday.

The spin bowler finished with figures of 10 for 20 from 13.4 overs.

To put the achievement into perspective, it has been accomplished only three times in the history of Test cricket, first by English spinner Jim Laker against Australia in 1956 in Manchester.

Laker finished with 19 wickets for 90 runs across two innings.

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While it's a long way from the hallowed turf of Old Trafford to Newcastle's Learmonth Park, O'Dell told ABC Newcastle Breakfast it was a good feeling.

"I haven't done that before, so was pretty happy with myself," he said.

" I got a big bear hug … and they [the team] sort of mobbed me, it was fantastic. "

Five of O'Dell's opponents were caught, three bowled and two trapped leg before wicket.

O'Dell is the first person in Newcastle City Cricket Club to take all 10 wickets in an innings.

Newcastle spin bowler Bradley O'Dell in action during a match prior to Saturday's efforts. (Supplied: Michael Gorton Images/Newcastle City Cricket Club)

Opposition 'stunned'

Justin Moran, a Newcastle local who was scoring the match, said spectators were blown away by O'Dell's performance.

"No-one at the ground had ever seen it before," he said.

" Everyone knew it was a massive moment, even the other team was stunned. "

The side was also banking on a win to have a shot at the semi-finals.

Bradley O'Dell is captain of Newcastle City Cricket Club's fourth grade team. (Supplied: Newcastle City Cricket Club)

"They needed not just to win the game, but win it convincingly to make the semis," Moran said.

"Brad had given the younger players a go, but he brought himself on when the team really needed a breakthrough.

"He just kept putting [the ball] in the right spot and then makes it spin a little so it gets past the bat."

Moran said as captain, O'Dell acted as a mentor for the team, especially the players who were teenagers and in their early 20s.

He said even after bagging 10 wickets, O'Dell's focus was still on his team.

"He came up to the scorer's table, and he didn't ask what his figures were, he asked what the team score was," Moran said.

"Even in a personal glory moment like that, all he worried about was how many runs his team had to chase."

Thanks to O'Dell's heroics, Wallsend were bowled out for just 92 runs.

Newcastle City finished the day 3-166, leading by 74 runs ahead of day two this Saturday.

Second record this season

Moran said it was not the only record set this season.

Late last year, 45-year-old Andrew Freeman, who is also on O'Dell's team, belted 240 runs off 184 balls.

"In 110 years of the club being around, in this season, they've broken the batting record and the bowling record," Moran said.

"It's just crazy."

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