New Zealand vs England [WATCH]: Gus Atkinson lights up Basin Reserve with brilliant hat-trick on day two of second Test

Englandhe's a fast bowler Gus Atkinson delivered a scintillating bowling spell on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand at the Bassin 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 English cricketer to take a Test hat-trick cricket.

The moment of brilliance came in New Zealand's first innings when Atkinson's precision and skill dismantled the Kiwi middle and lower order in rapid succession, sending shockwaves through the Basin Reserve crowd.

The Dramatic Over: Gus Atkinson's triple strike

The hat-trick began in the 35th, with Atkinson targeting Nathan Smith (14). A wide off-stump delivery tempted Smith into a tentative shot; Too late to remove his bat, he only managed to deflect the ball onto his stumps.

Next to the fold was Mat Henriknown for his courage with the bat, averaging almost 20 in Tests. However, Atkinson's relentless precision proved too much for him. A sharp chest-high throw of just under a length forced Henry into a defensive fumble, resulting in a catch of Ben Duckett to the ravine.

The stage was set for the hat-trick ball. Veteran Tim Southéeone of New Zealand's most experienced campaigners, arrived with high expectations. Known for his ability to counter-attack, Southee looked ready for another short ball, given the pitch around him. But Atkinson foiled him with a full, straight delivery that thudded onto the front pad, with no hesitation from umpire Rod Tucker to raise a finger.

Here is the video:

Gus Atkinson scores hat-trick pic.twitter.com/366soOjq6T

– IPL (@WatchIPLvideos) December 7, 2024

Also WATCH: NZ vs ENG – Daryl Mitchell grabs a breathtaking one-handed stunner to dismiss Joe Root on day one of the second Test

A rare feat in Test cricket

Atkinson's hat-trick is a rare milestone in Test cricket, marking the first time since June 2021, when South Africa Keshav Maharaj achieved the feat against the West Indies. For England, it was the first Test hat-trick in seven years, with Moeen Ali having last accomplished it in July 2017 at The Oval, rejecting Dean Elgar, Kagiso RabadaAnd Morne Morkel in a memorable fate.

The achievement further underlines Atkinson's growing stature as a bowler capable of producing match-defining moments. His hat-trick boosted England's campaign in the series and cemented his position as a key player for the team going forward.

England's treble heroes

Atkinson joins a prestigious list of England bowlers who have scored hat-tricks in Test cricket, a tradition that spans decades. Before Moeen in 2017, figures like James Anderson, Darren GoughAnd Matthew Hoggard had achieved similar feats, showcasing England's heritage in producing world-class bowlers.

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