David Harris, a great cricket bowler in the 1780s, as presented with a gold-laced hat for a fine spell of bowling. Around 1800, white beaver hats began to be presented to bowlers who took wickets in three successive deliveries.

All this according to a correspondent to The Guardian's Notes and Queries column, Steve Pittard.

Football players scoring 3 goals in a game are said to have scored a hat-trick even if not successive.


   Ivor