Gough syrup bitter for Aussies

The other three against Australia were all taken in the 1800s, with the most recent by JT Hearne in 1899 at Headingley.

The most recent hat-trick by an England bowler was taken by Dominic Cork against the West Indies four years ago. Cork was 12th man today and came out to give Gough some advice before he swung one away from Miller to complete his three wickets in three balls.

“Seeing Dominic there was all the inspiration I needed,” said Gough. “He just said relax. He is always on about (his hat-trick), so it is nice to have someone else to get one.”

Gough only had one regret about his hat-trick –his good friend Shane Warne was up the other end watching it instead of being part of the batting slide. Warne took a hat-trick of his own against England in Melbourne in 1995 and Gough was the second man out.

“He just winked at me today,” Gough said. “He couldn’t really say anything. It was nice to do it . I would have preferred it to be him at the other end but you can’t have everything.”

Asked if his hat-trick was the sweetest moment of the tour, he fired: “Beating Australia in Australia in Melbourne (in the fourth Test) before a terrific crowd there’s nothing better.”