Atkinson grew to become the 14th Englishman to take a Take a look at hat-trick – Stuart Broad has two – and the primary since Moeen Ali in opposition to South Africa in 2017. He’s additionally the fiftieth man or lady to realize the feat.
Saturday’s exploits, which has England within the driving seat for a series-clinching win, joins a rising checklist of exceptional achievements Atkinson has ticked off in his quick Take a look at profession up to now.
Atkinson, whose solely different hat-trick got here at college in 2016 whereas taking part in for Bradfield Faculty in opposition to Radley Faculty, was buoyed by the achievement however says he’s hungry for extra memorable moments in an England shirt.
“You at all times need to get extra and be grasping,” mentioned Atkinson on the shut of play. “You need to take as many as you’ll be able to and that is one thing I need to attempt to do sooner or later.
“It was nice. It isn’t one thing as a bowler you concentrate on. you concentrate on five-fors and ten-fors, these form of issues.
“Clearly it has been an incredible 12 months for me personally and hopefully I can get a number of extra milestone and assist the crew.”
[Southee] is somebody who, even on a hat-trick ball, would possibly take it on. I used to be fascinated with bowling a yorker, getting it full and straight. I missed a bit however fortunately it nonetheless ended up straight and comparatively full when it hit him on the pad.”
Atkinson on his hat-trick supply
Atkinson had an opportunity for a hat-trick on debut when he eliminated Alick Athanaze and Jason Holder in successive deliveries within the first innings. Joshua Da Silva stored out the hat-trick ball, earlier than the West Indies’ keeper-batter was snared the very subsequent supply through an inside edge.
This time, Atkinson’s third supply within the set was rigorously deliberate. With Southee on strike, England set a discipline for the short-ball, a nod to the his penchant for a giant shot, whatever the event. Atkinson, nonetheless, went full, placing the pad and wheeling away celebrating because the umpire raised his finger.
“I totally went for the bluff,” mentioned Atkinson. “He [Southee] is somebody who, even on a hat-trick ball, he would possibly take it on. That was the sensation: though it is a hat-trick ball he would possibly take this on.
“I used to be fascinated with bowling a yorker, getting it full and straight. I missed a bit however fortunately it nonetheless ended up straight and comparatively full when it hit him on the pad.”
Atkinson presently boasts 47 wickets at a median of 21.31 within the format, with an innings remaining in his tenth Take a look at. Although he had performed 12 while-ball internationals forward of his Take a look at bow, he credit Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum for giving him room to thrive, and for taking a punt on him within the first place. On the time of his choice, he had performed simply 19 first-class matches for Surrey, taking 59 wickets at 27.38.
“Each performed exceptionally effectively and it is a disgrace neither of them obtained to 100 however I am positive Beth will take plenty of confidence from that. He’ll have extra probabilities sooner or later.
“There isn’t any strain on any of us. It is simply to exit and play our pure sport. I in all probability did not have the stats for Take a look at cricket earlier than I performed. I do know Beth hasn’t scored a first-class hundred or something, however the way in which he bats and the way in which he is performed within the ODI and T20 collection as effectively simply exhibits how a lot of a high quality participant he’s. The best way he performs quick bowling and spin additionally, he is only a class participant all-round.
“I simply suppose the atmosphere of no strain and go and play your personal sport, and don’t be concerned an excessive amount of in regards to the consequence, has helped myself and I am positive it is helped the others as effectively.”
Vithushan Ehantharajah is an affiliate editor at ESPNcricinfo
