Sat Dec 07 05:10:00 UTC 2024: ## England’s Atkinson Joins Elite Hat-Trick Club, Following Bumrah’s Footsteps
**Wellington, New Zealand –** England fast bowler Gus Atkinson etched his name into cricketing history on Saturday, achieving a hat-trick in the second Test against New Zealand and joining an exclusive club that includes Indian bowling superstar Jasprit Bumrah.
Atkinson, 26, dismissed Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, and Tim Southee in consecutive deliveries, a feat that makes him only the fourth bowler to achieve a hat-trick in World Test Championship history. His impressive performance saw him finish with figures of 4 for 31. This also propelled him to second place in the 2024 Test wicket-takers list, just behind Bumrah, who currently holds the top spot with 50 wickets.
Bumrah, who achieved his own hat-trick in a 2019 Test against the West Indies, was the first to accomplish this feat in the WTC era. Other bowlers who have achieved this rare feat in the WTC are Naseem Shah of Pakistan and Keshav Maharaj of South Africa.
Atkinson’s hat-trick highlights a rising star in English cricket, showcasing his significant contribution to the team’s success. His performance further intensifies the already exciting competition between leading bowlers in the world.
First Piper 