NZ vs ENG (WATCH): Gus Atkinson lights up Basin Reserve with brilliant hat-trick on Day 2 of second Test

Englanda quick bow Gus Atkinson We delivered a brilliant spell of bowling on Day 2 of the second Test against him New Zealand at the Basin Reserve on Saturday. Atkinson's stunning feat not only swung the match in England's favor but also put 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 in New Zealand's first innings when Atkinson's accuracy and skill quickly destroyed the Kiwi middle and lower order, 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 on target Nathan Smith (14). An off-stump delivery sent Smith into an uncertain bag; too late to withdraw his bat, he simply threw the ball onto his stumps.

By the side of the mountain there was Matt Henryfamous for his grip with the bat, averaging nearly 20 in Tests. However, Atkinson's relentless precision was too much for him. A sharp, chest-high delivery from just short off, forced Henry into a defensive tackle, resulting in a catch. Ben Duckett at gully.

The stage was set for the hat-trick ball. A veteran Tim Southeeone of New Zealand's most experienced campaigners, walked in with high expectations. Known for his attacking prowess, Southee looked set for another short ball, as the pitch circled him. But Atkinson dismissed him with a full, straight delivery that rattled the front pad, with no hesitation from umpire Rod Tucker to raise his finger.

Here is the video:

Gus Atkinson takes a bite pic.twitter.com/366soOjq6T

– IPL (@WatchIPLvideos) December 7, 2024

Also WATCH: NZ vs ENG – Daryl Mitchell hits a stunning one-handed stunner to dismiss Joe Root on Day 1 of the second Test

A rare feat in test cricket

Atkinson's hat-trick is a rare milestone in Test cricket, marking the first since June 2021 when South Africa Cheshav Maharaj he got the job done against the West Indies. For England, this was the first Test hat-trick in seven years, with Moeen Ali finally achieved in July 2017 at The Oval, eliminating Dean Elgar, Kagiso Rabadaand Morne Morkel in memorable spells.

This performance further demonstrates Atkinson's growing status as a bowler capable of creating breakthrough moments. His hat-trick has boosted England's campaign in the series and cemented his position as a key player in the team moving forward.

England's hat-trick heroes

Atkinson joins an illustrious list of England bowlers who have achieved hat-tricks in Test cricket, a tradition that spans decades. Before Moeen in 2017, like James Anderson, Darren Goughand Matthew Hoggard have performed similar feats, showcasing England's legacy of producing world-class bowlers.