Jalani Richardson is thrilled to have made a remarkable debut for new club Warwick Workmen’s in their opening T20 match of the season against PHC.

With their opponents needing nine runs for victory off the last over, Warwick’s right-arm fast bowler produced his first hat-trick to earn his team an unlikely tie in the most dramatic of fashion.

“It was pretty exhilarating especially with my team-mates backing me,” Richardson told The Royal Gazette. “It was a very surreal experience.”

All seemed lost when the 26-year-old was brought back into the attack for a second spell with PHC on course for victory with four wickets in hand. However, Richardson had other thoughts in mind as he picked off three of the opposition’s remaining wickets in successive balls.

“It was a huge responsibility with the game on the line but I am very optimistic and always feel there’s a chance to win,” he said.

“I was just telling myself to stay calm, block out all the outside noise and try to do the best you can. With the team backing me it was easy to get into that mindset of just staying calm.”

Richardson got off to a shaky start as his first ball was smashed by Keishon Wilson over the long-off boundary for six.

However, the match took a dramatic turn when Richardson ran out non-striker Koshun Durrant, who was left stranded outside of the crease after being sent back by his batting partner after a wide ball.

Richardson, the son of former Cleveland County spinner Johnny Richardson, took over from there, trapping Jubar Corbin leg-before with a straight ball and bowling Jayden Simons and Kevin Sunga with away swingers as PHC were dismissed with one ball remaining at Somerset Cricket Club.

“It was pretty intense but we knew we had a glimmer of hope of actually tieing the game after I got my first wicket,” Richardson said.

“Then we really felt we could get at least a tie with my second wicket, and once the third wicket fell the crowd was going up and my team-mates were cheering me on. I was very relieved to be able to get the wickets and tie the game.

“It was a very high-pressure situation and being hit for a six and bowling a wide can really take you off your game very quickly. But being able to compose myself and back myself, and with my team backing me as well, it helped to put me on the path to get those wickets.”

Lorenzo Tucker, the Warwick coach, conceded he felt the game was lost after Richardson’s first ball of the final over went for a maximum.

“PHC needed nine off the last over and the first ball was a six, so I figured the game was done,” he said.

“But then Jalani did his magic and got a hat-trick to dismiss the last three PHC bats, which was an incredible result. We probably didn’t deserve it but we will definitely take it.“

Richardson has made a seamless transition since joining Warwick from Cleveland during the recent transfer window.

“It’s been pretty nice settling in and everybody has accepted me with open arms,” he said.

“We did a lot of preseason training and team bonding before that, so it was easier during the game to play with people I had bonded with this entire preseason.

“It’s been very good so far and I am just excited to see how the rest of the year goes with the team.”

Richardson is grateful to play in a team boasting experienced all-rounders Malachi Jones and Kamau Leverock and under national team bowling coach Tucker.

“It definitely helps having guys who have been to the highest level of cricket like Malachi and Kamau as they have been in high pressure situations as well,” he said.

“They can give me insight on how to overcome different situations and bowling advice if I’m not on my game. Also having Lorenzo Tucker as a bowling coach for the national squad makes it easier because now he can give more analytical advice and help like that.”