Gus Atkinson scripts history, achieves HUGE feat in second New Zealand Test

The young England pacer picked up a hat-trick against the Black Caps in Wellington to help his side in bundling them out for a modest first inning total of 125

England pacer Gus Atkinson created history during the second Test against New Zealand by picking up a hat-trick at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. By doing this, he became England’s first player in 7 years to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. The last hat-trick taker for the Three Lions was spinner Moeen Ali, who did so against South Africa in 2017.

Atkinson dismissed Nathan Smith, Matt Henry and Tim Southee with successive balls in his ninth over as England bowled out New Zealand for a modest total of 125 to take a massive lead of 155 runs.

Atkinson is the 15th English cricketer to complete a Test hat-trick. His first wicket came in the form of Nathan Smith with the third delivery of the 35th over of the innings.

His next wicket was that of Matt Henry, who ended up edging the delivery straight to Ben Duckett, who was fielding in the gully.

That left the experienced Tim Southee to face the hat-trick ball. Atkinson bowled a full delivery to the experienced Kiwi player which struck him on the front pad and umpire Rod Tucker raised his finger in an instant.

Atkinson finished the innings with brilliant figures of 4/31 and was crucial to England bundling out New Zealand for such a low first inning total.