Gus Atkinson created history by taking a sensational Test hat-trick during the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington. His outstanding performance left the Kiwis stunned and put England in complete control of the match.
This remarkable achievement adds another feather to the cap of the 26-year-old pace bowler, marking a dream start to his Test career. Atkinson’s hat-trick is the 15th by an England men’s bowler, and he is now one of only 14 Englishmen to accomplish this rare feat.
How Did It Happen?
Atkinson’s magical moment came during New Zealand’s first innings, where they were struggling at 86-5. Here’s a breakdown of how it unfolded:
- Nathan Smith – Attempted to leave the ball but misjudged it, and the ball ricocheted off his bat onto the stumps. Clean bowled.
- Matt Henry – Atkinson bowled a fierce short ball, forcing Henry to fend it off, only for it to fly straight to the fielder at gully.
- Tim Southee – With a perfectly pitched delivery, Atkinson trapped Southee lbw (leg before wicket) to complete the hat-trick.
Atkinson’s brilliant effort wrapped up New Zealand’s innings at just 125 runs, giving England a commanding 155-run lead.
A Year of Unstoppable Performances for Atkinson
The hat-trick is the latest highlight in a spectacular debut year for Atkinson. Here’s what he has achieved so far:
- 12 wickets on debut against West Indies at Lord’s.
- Century and five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka at Lord’s in August.
- First Test hat-trick for an England bowler since Moeen Ali’s in 2017.
- First away Test hat-trick for England since Ryan Sidebottom’s in 2008 against New Zealand.
Atkinson’s meteoric rise is turning heads in the cricket world, and his ability to make an impact with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset for England’s Test team.
Atkinson’s Reaction to the Hat-Trick
Speaking to BBC Sport, an elated Atkinson shared his thoughts on the hat-trick:
“The hat-trick ball, I was running up thinking ‘I’m getting a wicket this ball, I’m getting a wicket this ball’ — I did feel it.”
He admitted that while bowlers usually dream about taking five-wicket hauls, getting a hat-trick is a much rarer and more special achievement. Atkinson recalled taking a hat-trick for his school back in 2015 but acknowledged that this one “tops it all.”
A Look at the Historic Significance
Atkinson joins a select list of players to have scored a century and taken a Test hat-trick. This rare double has only been achieved by a few cricket legends, including:
- Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
- Harbhajan Singh (India)
- Abdul Razzaq (Pakistan)
- Irfan Pathan (India)
- James Franklin (New Zealand)
- Sohan Gazi (Bangladesh)
With this incredible achievement, Atkinson stands alongside greats like Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, and Johnny Briggs from England.
What’s Next for Atkinson?
With his dream debut year in Test cricket, Atkinson is now focused on keeping the momentum going. Speaking about his goals, he said:
“I’m just looking forward to playing as much Test cricket as I can in the next few years and hopefully continuing with the form.”
Given his current form and confidence, Atkinson seems ready to become a long-term fixture in England’s Test lineup. His combination of pace, accuracy, and ability to deliver under pressure could make him a game-changer in future matches.
FAQs
1. Who is Gus Atkinson?
Gus Atkinson is a 26-year-old fast bowler for England’s Test cricket team. He has had a phenomenal start to his Test career, achieving milestones like a 12-wicket haul, a century, and a Test hat-trick in his debut year.
2. When did Gus Atkinson take his Test hat-trick?
Atkinson took his Test hat-trick on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington.
3. Who did Gus Atkinson dismiss in his Test hat-trick?
Atkinson dismissed Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, and Tim Southee to complete his hat-trick.
4. How many hat-tricks have England bowlers taken in Tests?
Atkinson’s hat-trick is the 15th by an England men’s bowler in Test cricket.
5. What makes Gus Atkinson’s year so special?
In 2024, Atkinson took a 12-wicket haul on debut, scored a century and five-wicket haul in the same match, and secured a Test hat-trick — a dream year for any cricketer.
Gus Atkinson’s name is now etched in cricket history, and fans are eagerly watching to see what more he has in store. Stay tuned for updates on this rising star and other cricket news on findcric.com.
