At Basin Reserve, New Zealand found themselves under immense pressure at the end of the first day, finishing at 86 for 5 in 26 overs. Fortunately for the Kiwi batters, the ordeal didn’t last long on the second morning. England’s four pacers wrapped up the innings in just 45 minutes, needing only 53 deliveries (8.5 overs) to claim the remaining five wickets.
Gus Atkinson played a starring role, adding the final touches to New Zealand’s collapse. After picking up one wicket the previous day, Atkinson claimed a hat-trick in the 35th over of New Zealand’s innings. With their first innings ending at just 125 runs, England’s batters capitalized on the advantage, finishing the second day at 378 for 5, building a massive 533-run lead.
England’s batting has been relentless this series. In their first innings, they scored 280 runs at a run rate of 5.12, and on the second day, they maintained a brisk rate of 4.97. Ben Duckett, the opener, fell for a “nervous ninety,” scoring 92 off 112 balls, including one six and six fours. Jacob Bethell, batting at No. 3, narrowly missed his century as well, scoring 96 off 118 balls with three sixes and 10 fours. Both were dismissed by Tim Southee. The duo added 187 runs in 220 balls for the second wicket.
Harry Brook and Joe Root chipped in with valuable contributions. Brook, who scored a century in the first innings at a strike rate of 106.95, continued his aggressive approach, smashing 55 off 61 balls at a strike rate of 90.16 before falling to Glenn Phillips. Root remained unbeaten on 73 at the end of the day, with skipper Ben Stokes (35*) set to resume alongside him on the third morning.
Atkinson’s heroics brought back memories of Basin Reserve’s historic cricketing legacy. As the oldest first-class ground in New Zealand, it witnessed its first-ever Test hat-trick courtesy of Atkinson. This was the 15th hat-trick by an English bowler in Test history.
New Zealand’s overnight batters Tom Blundell and nightwatchman Will O’Rourke couldn’t last long. Blundell fell to a brilliant length delivery from Brydon Carse, reminiscent of the ball that dismissed Kane Williamson the previous day (although that was a no-ball). O’Rourke was dismissed LBW on his 26th delivery without scoring, bringing an end to his frustrating stay at the crease.
Nathan Smith and Glenn Phillips briefly resisted, adding 29 runs off 27 balls for the 8th wicket. But Atkinson took over in the 35th over. Smith was bowled for 14, Matt Henry was caught in the slips off the very next ball, and Tim Southee was trapped LBW on the fifth delivery of the over. While Southee reviewed the decision, he and non-striker Phillips had already started walking off, prompting England’s players to head back to the dressing room. The third umpire later confirmed Southee’s dismissal, but the unusual scene drew criticism from commentator Ian Smith, who called it unsportsmanlike.
Regardless of the drama, Atkinson’s feat stood out. The July Test debutant became the 8th bowler in Test history to achieve a “perfect” hat-trick (bowled, caught, LBW). He is also the 11th player to have both a Test century and a hat-trick to his name, joining an elite club that includes Bangladesh’s Sohag Gazi.
Brief Scores:
England: 280 & 378/5 in 76 overs (Bethell 96, Duckett 92, Root 73*, Brook 55, Stokes 35*; Southee 2/72, Henry 2/76, Phillips 1/75).
New Zealand: 125 in 34.5 overs (Williamson 37, Latham 17, Blundell 16, Phillips 16, Smith 14; Atkinson 4/31, Carse 4/46, Stokes 1/21, Woakes 1/26)—England leads by 533 runs at the end of Day 2
