New Delhi: England pacer Gus Atkinson said that his Test debut against West Indies was more than anything he could dream of. The Surrey pacer mustered figures of 7 for 45 at Lord’s to inspire England bundling up the West Indies innings for a paltry 121 in 41.4 overs.
On a day when James Anderson grabbed all the headlines for his swansong with the red cherry, Atkinson ensured to give the England selectors enough confidence to succeed the veteran Lancashire player going forward with his appetite to pick wickets.
He removed West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk McKenzie in his first three overs without conceding a run before claiming three wickets in the space of four deliveries in his second spell to rattle the middle order of the Windies.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. I was looking up at the board seeing my figures and just thinking, ‘Wow.’ A very special day. I was a bit nervous this morning. I woke up and all I could think about was the day ahead,” Atkinson told after the end of Day 1’s gameplay, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
“I was a bit emotional this morning and then having my family there for my cap presentation – if you could have asked me what I wanted from my day that was pretty close to the top. It was pretty cool. Just to take a five-for is amazing, more than I could have dreamed of,” he added.
A debutant’s dream! 😍
Atkinson on 🔥 @HomeOfCricket#ENGvWI Day One Highlights 👇 pic.twitter.com/t6xXg0Ywzp
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 11, 2024
Atkinson’s figures are the second best by an English bowler on a Test debut after Dominic Cork picked seven for 43 against the West Indies in 1995 at the very same venue.
England look in commanding position in 1st Test after Gus Atkinson’s fireworks
James Anderson, 41, who opened the pace attack for England for the last time, trapped Jayden Seales before the wicket to fold up the West Indies innings and claim his only wicket of the innings. Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes also added one scalp apiece to leave Brathwaite & Co. in tatters.
England were 189 for 3 after stumps on Day 1 with Joe Root (15*) and Harry Brook (25*) batting for the hosts. Brisk half-centuries from opener Zak Crawley (76 runs off 89 balls) and Ollie Pope (57 runs off 74 balls) continued to give impression of England’s new theme in Test cricket – the Bazball era.
On a day when James Anderson grabbed all the headlines for his swansong with the red cherry, Gus Atkinson stepped up to steer the wheel. Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
