Atkinson, who made his debut earlier this year against the West Indies at Lord’s, has had a fine start to his career. He picked up seven wickets in his very first innings, ending with 7-45 after 12 overs. Atkinson completed another five-for in the next innings of the Test, ending the game with 12 wickets.

In 20 innings bowled thus far in the format, Atkinson has gone wicketless just once, picking up at least two wickets on 16 occasions. He already has three five-fors and also has picked up four wickets in an innings twice. He also completed a Test hat-trick last week, becoming the 14th from his country to pick three in three deliveries.

Gus Atkinson etched his name in history as the 14th England bowler, and the first since Moeen Ali in 2017, to register a hat-trick in men's Tests.

Check the full list here ➡️ https://t.co/51WWWqZiQK pic.twitter.com/S3kis5iG4m

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 7, 2024

Ahead of the third New Zealand Test, Atkinson had taken 48 wickets in 10 games at an average of 22.29. He added to his tally when he sent back Will Young for 42 at Seddon Park and got to his 50th scalp after dismissing Mitchell.

With the wicket, Atkinson has become the 13th-fastest England bowler to the feat and just the fifth-fastest since the World War. Frank Tyson is the quickest Englishman on the list, having reached 50 Test wickets in just nine games. Atkinson is tied on the list with Dominic Cork and Ollie Robinson.

Overall, the list of fastest to 50 wickets after the World War is led by Prabath Jayasuriya, who got to the milestone in his seventh Test match.

Fastest England bowlers to 50 wickets (since the Second World War)