Gus Atkinson Joins elite club with Test hat-trick against New Zealand

England fast bowler Gus Atkinson etched his name in cricket history by claiming his first Test hat-trick during the second Test against New Zealand on Saturday, becoming the 14th English bowler to achieve this remarkable feat.  

New Zealand, already struggling at 125-7, saw their innings wrapped up in dramatic fashion as Atkinson dismissed Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, and Tim Southee on consecutive deliveries. This marked the 15th hat-trick by an England bowler in Test cricket and the 50th in global Test cricket—47 in men’s matches and three in women’s.

Atkinson’s hat-trick began with a spectacular delivery that uprooted Smith’s middle stump. He followed it up with a bouncer that Henry attempted to fend off, only to glove it into the hands of Ben Duckett at short leg. The final wicket came with a full, straight delivery trapping Southee leg-before-wicket. Southee’s review was in vain, as the decision stood, cementing Atkinson's place in the record books.  

The last English bowler to achieve a Test hat-trick was Moeen Ali, who accomplished the feat against South Africa at The Oval in 2017. Atkinson now joins a prestigious list of English bowlers, including Stuart Broad, who has two Test hat-tricks to his name.  

England’s Test Hat-Trick Takers

1. Billy Bates vs Australia, Melbourne (1882/83)  
2. Johnny Briggs vs Australia, Sydney (1891/92)  
3. George Lohmann vs South Africa, Port Elizabeth (1895/96)  
4. Jack Hearne vs Australia, Leeds (1899)  
5. Maurice Allom vs New Zealand, Christchurch (1929/30)  
6. Tom Goddard vs South Africa, Johannesburg (1938/39)  
7. Peter Loader vs West Indies, Leeds (1957)  
8. Dominic Cork vs West Indies, Manchester (1995)  
9. Darren Gough vs Australia, Sydney (1998/99)  
10. Matthew Hoggard vs West Indies, Barbados (2003/04)  
11. Ryan Sidebottom vs New Zealand, Hamilton (2007/08)  
12. Stuart Broad vs India, Nottingham (2011)  
13. Stuart Broad vs Sri Lanka, Leeds (2014)  
14. Moeen Ali vs South Africa, The Oval (2017)  
15. Gus Atkinson vs New Zealand, Wellington (2024)  

Atkinson’s achievement underscores England’s strong pace-bowling legacy and adds yet another memorable moment to the ongoing series. As of now, England holds a commanding position in the second Test lead by 533 at the end of second day's play.