England seamer Gus Atkinson claimed a hat-trick as New Zealand were skittled for 125 in the second Test on Saturday, leaving the tourists with a substantial first innings advantage.
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Resuming at 86-5 on day two in Wellington, New Zealand’s lower order survived less than nine overs, scoring 39 runs in the process.
England were to begin their second innings before lunch, holding an advantage off 155 runs, following their first innings of 280.
Atkinson (4-31) and fellow-seamer Brydon Carse (4-46) took advantage of a pitch still providing good bounce to share the second-day wickets.
Atkinson completed New Zealand’s misery by removing Nathan Smith, Matt Henry and Tim Southee off successive balls.
He became the first English bowler to claim a Test hat-trick since Moeen Ali against South Africa at The Oval seven years ago.
Smith was bowled for 14 before both tailenders departed without scoring — Henry caught behind and Southee trapped LBW, which he unsuccessfully appealed.
Carse, who also took 10 wickets in the first Test, continued to prove himself a gem for England, further establishing himself as a player to watch ahead of next year’s Ashes.
Earlier, the two overnight batsmen were quickly removed by Carse. Blundell was bowled for 16 before nightwatchman Will O’Rourke was out LBW for a 26-ball duck.
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