Gus Atkinson decimated New Zealand's tail today (December 7), taking the first Test hat-trick for an England pacer for a decade on the morning of the second day in Wellington.
New Zealand came in to the day already well behind in the match, having lost five wickets by the end of play on day one and still trailing England's first innings score by 194. The pace of their collapse continued on day two, with Brydon Carse striking in his second over of the day, nipping the top of Tom Blundell's off stump. Two balls later, he also did for Will O'Rourke, trapping him in front plumb lbw. That wicket left New Zealand 96-7.
Having bowled through since the first over of the morning, it was Atkinson's fifth over when he burst into the action. He conceded a four to Nathan Smith off his first delivery, over-pitching and serving up a half-volley. His second ball was a better length, Smith staying on strike. Off his third ball, he bowled the ball outside off stump on a length, tempting Smith to drive. Resisting the urge, Smith tried to pull out of the shot but did so slightly too late, the ball ricocheting off the under edge of his bat and onto the middle stump.
With Matt Henry out to face the next delivery, Atkinson served up some chin music to the No.10. Henry tried to evade the ball which was headed towards his throat, but was unable to get his hands out the way and ended up fending the ball to Ben Duckett at gully.
Gus Atkinson, the 14th England player to take a men's Test hat-trick.#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/Q4udI4hLwn
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 6, 2024
On a hat-trick, Tim Southee was New Zealand's last batter out of the dugout. Despite a field set for short-pitched bowling, Atkinson sent down a full and straight cannon ball. The delivery thumped into Southee's front pad, straight in front of middle and leg. Atkinson wheeled away with a celebrappeal, only turning back to look at the umpire as his finger went up. Southee went for the review, but by the time three reds appeared on the big screen, the players were already nearing the boundary rope. New Zealand were all out for 125 and conceded a first-innings deficit of 155.
Atkinson is the first England player to take a hat-trick in a Test match since Moeen Ali against South Africa in 2017. The last England pacer to take a Test hat-trick was Stuart Broad against Sri Lanka at Leeds in 2014. Overall, Atkinson is the 14th England bowler to take a Test hat-trick.
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