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WATCH: Gus Atkinson’s hattrick blows away New Zealand in Wellington

England cricket star Gus Atkinson becomes 15th English bowler to take Test hattrick after achieving the feat during the second day of Wellington Test

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Gus Atkinson (source-x)

England seam bowler Gus Atkinson turned the tide in England’s favour on the second day of the Wellington Test. Right-arm seamer Gus Atkinson became the 15th English bowler to achieve a hat-trick in Test cricket. The feat came on Saturday as England bowled out New Zealand for just 125 runs. 

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On the third ball of the 35th over, Nathan Smith was beaten for pace by Atkinson as he was bowled for 14. On the very next ball, Matt Henry got a short ball that he failed to evade as Ben Duckett took the catch. Tim Southee, playing his final Test series, was caught plumb in front of the wicket to help Gus Atkinson complete his hat trick. 

New Zealand started the day at 86/5 still trailing by 194 runs. The last five wickets fell for just 39 runs as the visitors took a huge lead of 155 runs. Brydon Carse got England their first wicket when he castled Tom Blundell for 16. William O Rourke played 26 balls for his zero before falling to Carse in the final ball of the 30th over. Glenn Phillips was not out on 16 and looked on as Atkinson claimed his hat trick. 

New Zealand’s dream of reaching the WTC finals is all but over

Armed with a huge lead of 155 runs, England displayed their regular aggressive intent to end the day with a huge lead. When stumps were called, the visitors were 378/5 with an overall lead of 533. Ben Stokes was batting on 35 with former skipper Joe Root on 73 from 106 balls. 

Matt Henry got things going with the wicket of Zak Crawley for 8 runs from 7 balls with 2 fours. Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell then added 187 runs for the 2nd wicket in just 36.4 overs to sustain the momentum. Both batters were looking good to score a century but Tim Southee had other plans. 

New Zealand’s veteran pacer first dismissed Bethell caught behind by Blundell for 96. The left-handed batter played 115 balls and hit 10 fours and 3 sixes. Ben Duckett was then bowled out for 92 off 112 balls with 6 fours and a six. Harry Brook who has scored 2 successive centuries came out to bat and added 95 runs for the 4th wicket with Root. 

That stand came in just under 21 overs before Brook was out for 55 runs caught by O Rourke off Phillips. Matt Henry then gave the home their final wicket of the day when he had Ollie Pope out for 10 caught by Daryl Mitchell. With three more days to go and a huge target in front of them, New Zealand’s chances of winning the Test are over. With this, they can also count themselves out of running for a place in the WTC finals. Tom Latham’s side had to win the series to keep their faint hopes alive. 

Gus Atkinson