PROVIDENCE, March 29: Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga became the first man in international cricket to take four wickets in four balls during his side's one-wicket defeat by South Africa in the World Cup Super Eights on Wednesday.

Here is how he did it:

44.5 overs – Malinga sends down his favourite slower ball and it is too good for Shaun Pollock, who plays all the way round it and is bowled for 13. South Africa 206-6.

44.6 overs – This time Malinga employs a yorker and it works a treat. New batsman Andrew Hall has to dig it from under his feet but in doing so he sends the ball spiralling into the air and it is an easy catch for Upul Tharanga at cover. South Africa 206-7.

Chaminda Vaas bowls the 46th over, conceding one run.

46.1 overs – Malinga grabs a sensational hat-trick and removes dangerman Jacques Kallis (86) in the process. The South African attempts a drive but appears to nick behind. He stands his ground in the face of a strong appeal but eventually Daryl Harper raises the finger. South Africa 207-8.

46.2 overs – Malinga makes history with four wickets in four deliveries when tailender Makhaya Ntini hopelessly misses another searing straight delivery. The whole Sri Lankan team engulf their hero. South Africa 207-9.

46.3 overs – He is so close to five in five and winning the match when the ball is a coat of varnish away from clipping Charl Langeveldt's off-stump.—Reuters