England fast bowler Gus Atkinson became just the second player in Test history to pick more than 50 wickets in his debut calendar year in the third Test against New Zealand on Saturday.
Atkinson started the Test with 48 scalps and dismissed Will Young, Daryl Mitchell and Tim Southee to take his tally to 51 on the opening day. He is now second only to Australian seamer Terry Alderman’s 54 wickets in 1981.
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The right-arm fastman made his red-ball debut against West Indies in July 2024 and was credited with taking 12 wickets in the match, including seven in the first innings ) and was named the best player of the game.
In 20 innings in 11 games, Atkinson averaged 22.05 and struck at a strike rate of 34.4, including three five-wicket hauls and a best-of-seven 45.
