Gus Atkinson Makes History as First Bowler to Achieve THIS Feat in 2nd Test against New Zealand

New Delhi: Gus Atkinson, from the England cricket team, made history on Saturday, December 7th, by achieving a hat-trick in Wellington during the second Test against New Zealand. His remarkable feat also marked him as the first bowler in 7 years to secure three wickets in three consecutive balls. The last England bowler to accomplish a hat-trick was Moeen Ali in 2017 against South Africa at The Oval.

Atkinson claimed the wickets of Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, and Tim Southee with consecutive balls in his ninth over, helping England bowl New Zealand out for just 125 and take a commanding 155-run lead in the first innings. England now lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test by eight wickets.

At lunch, after facing just 15 overs, England were 82/1, extending their lead to 237. Ben Duckett remained unbeaten on 39, while Jacob Bethell was on 34.

“10-wicket haul at Lords… Test 100 at Lords… now a hat-trick in Test cricket,” former England captain Michael Vaughan was seen praising Atkinson on ‘X’.

10 wicket haul at Lords .. Test 100 at Lords .. now a Hatrick in Test cricket !! #Gus

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 6, 2024

Atkinson is the 15th English cricketer to complete a Test hat-trick. Before Moeen, Stuart Broad had taken a hat-trick against Sri Lanka in Leeds in 2014.

Atkinson struck on the third delivery of the 35th over, bowling Nathan Smith (14) out. Smith, attempting to leave a ball wide of off stump, dangled his bat but was too late, only managing to deflect the ball onto his stumps.

GUS ATKINSON HAS JUST TAKEN A TEST HAT-TRICK!

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 6, 2024

That brought out Matt Henry, a competent batter with an average of nearly 20 in Tests. He faced a delivery that bounced from just short of a length, reaching chest height. Henry tried to fend it away, but the ball edged off the splice of his bat, flying to Duckett in the gully for the catch.

That left Tim Southee to face the hat-trick delivery. The veteran pacer, in his final Test series, has an average of 15.6 and has hit 95 sixes in his illustrious career.

Southee was expecting another short-pitched delivery, with the field set accordingly. However, Atkinson bowled a fuller ball, which struck him on the front pad. Umpire Rod Tucker raised his finger immediately, giving Southee out.