England fast bowler Gus Atkinson became only the second player in Test history to pick more than 50 wickets in debut calendar year during the third match against New Zealand on Saturday.
Atkinson began the Test with 48 scalps and removed Will Young, Daryll Mitchell, and Tim Southee on the opening day to take his tally to 51. He’s now second only to Australian seamer Terry Alderman’s 54 wickets in 1981.
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The right-arm quick made his red-ball debut in July 2024 against the West Indies during and was adjudged player of the match for picking a match haul of 12 wickets including a seven-for in the first innings.
In 20 innings, across 11 matches, Atkinson averages 22.05 at a strike rate of 34.4 including three five-wicket hauls and a best of seven for 45.