Gus Atkinson Joins Elite Club with Test Hat-Trick

Gus Atkinson secured England’s 15th Test hat-trick, dismantling New Zealand’s tail during the second day of the second Test in Wellington. The 26-year-old pacer bowled Nathan Smith off an attempted leave, forced Matt Henry to edge to gully and trapped Tim Southee lbw, wrapping up New Zealand’s innings for 125 and leaving them 155 runs behind England’s 280. Atkinson’s achievement is England’s first Test hat-trick since Moeen Ali’s in 2017 against South Africa and the first overseas since Ryan Sidebottom’s in New Zealand in 2008.

He becomes the 14th Englishman to claim a Test hat-trick with Stuart Broad having achieved the feat twice. It was also the first-ever hat-trick at Wellington’s iconic Basin Reserve and the first in Test cricket since Keshav Maharaj’s in 2021. Atkinson’s stunning rise in Test cricket continues an extraordinary debut year. He made headlines in July with 12 wickets against West Indies at Lord’s and followed it with a century and a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka at the same venue in August.

This rare combination of a Test century and hat-trick places him among legends like Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad and Wasim Akram. Reflecting on his milestone, Gus Atkinson told BBC Sport, “I felt it on the hat-trick ball, thinking, ‘I’m getting a wicket.’ It’s a rare feat compared to a five-for and incredibly special.” He also recalled a school-level hat-trick in 2015, noting this one topped it.

England’s Brydon Carse set the tone earlier, removing Tom Blundell and nightwatchman Will O’Rourke in quick succession.  Atkinson then delivered his magical burst, outclassing New Zealand’s lower order and cementing England’s dominant position. “It’s been a special year,” Atkinson said, adding he hopes to sustain his form and play more Test cricket in the years to come.