England‘s fast bowler Gus Atkinson delivered a scintillating spell of bowling on Day 2 of the second Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve on Saturday. Atkinson’s remarkable feat not only tilted the match in England’s favor but also placed him among an elite group of bowlers as the 15th England cricketer to take a hat-trick in Test cricket.
The moment of brilliance came during New Zealand’s first innings when Atkinson’s precision and skill dismantled the Kiwi middle and lower order in quick succession, sending shockwaves through the Basin Reserve crowd.
The Dramatic Over: Gus Atkinson’s triple strike
The hat-trick began in the 35th over, with Atkinson targeting Nathan Smith (14). A delivery wide of off-stump tempted Smith into a tentative poke; too late to withdraw his bat, he managed only to deflect the ball onto his stumps.
Next to the crease was Matt Henry, known for his grit with the bat, averaging nearly 20 in Tests. However, Atkinson’s relentless accuracy proved too much for him. A sharp, chest-high delivery from just short of a length forced Henry into a defensive fumble, resulting in a catch to Ben Duckett at gully.
The stage was set for the hat-trick ball. Veteran Tim Southee, one of New Zealand’s most experienced campaigners, walked in with expectations riding high. Known for his ability to counterattack, Southee seemed prepared for another short ball, given the field set around him. But Atkinson outfoxed him with a full, straight delivery that thudded onto the front pad, with no hesitation from umpire Rod Tucker in raising his finger.
Here is the video:
Gus Atkinson takes a hattrick pic.twitter.com/366soOjq6T
— IPL (@WatchIPLvideos) December 7, 2024
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A rare feat in Test cricket
Atkinson’s hat-trick is a rare milestone in Test cricket, marking the first instance since June 2021 when South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj achieved the feat against the West Indies. For England, this was the first Test hat-trick in seven years, with Moeen Ali last accomplishing it in July 2017 at The Oval, dismissing Dean Elgar, Kagiso Rabada, and Morne Morkel in a memorable spell.
This achievement further highlights Atkinson’s growing stature as a bowler capable of producing match-defining moments. His hat-trick has energized England’s campaign in the series and cemented his position as a key player for the team moving forward.
England’s hat-trick heroes
Atkinson joins a prestigious list of England bowlers who have achieved hat-tricks in Test cricket, a tradition that spans decades. Before Moeen in 2017, the likes of James Anderson, Darren Gough, and Matthew Hoggard had performed similar feats, showcasing England’s legacy in producing world-class bowlers.
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