[Watch] Gus Atkinson takes hat-trick on Day 2 of NZ vs ENG 2024 2nd Test

England speedster Gus Atkinson claimed the first hat-trick of his career as he rattled New Zealand on Day 2 of the second Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Atkinson, who had removed Devon Conway on Day 1, dismissed Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, and Tim Southee in three different modes of dismissals.

The dismissals occurred in the 35th over of the innings as Smith lost his stumps while trying to leave a delivery. Atkinson then rattled Henry with a brute of a short delivery and the Kiwi could only fend it to gully as Ben Duckett took a straightforward catch.

Southee, meanwhile, missed a full and straight delivery to be pinned lbw, with the umpire hardly hesitating in raising the finger. Although Southee opted for the review, the decision went against him.

In the process, England bowled the Kiwis out for a paltry 125 in reply to their first-innings score of 280. The hosts began the day at 86-5 and Brydon Carse started by castling Tom Blundell for 16. Atkinson and Carse shared eight wickets between them, snaring four each, while Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes took one apiece.

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Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett miss out on centuries but England firmly on top after Gus Atkinson's exploits

Jacob Bethell. (Image Credits: Getty)

With a sizeable 155-run lead, the visitors came out to bat again but Henry nipped out Zak Crawley cheaply. Despite that, England played freely as Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell gave New Zealand's bowlers hardly any breathing space. Nevertheless, Duckett perished for 92, while Bethell fell for 96.

Glenn Phillips got the better of Harry Brook for 55, while Joe Root has passed his half-century. Brook, who slammed 171 in the opening Test against the Kiwis in Christchurch, clattered his eighth hundred in the first dig in Wellington. It played a significant role in helping England recover from 43-4 to reach 280.