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regular-article-logo Sunday, 22 December 2024

England vs West Indies Test: Gus Atkinson makes a dream debut, takes seven wickets for 45 runs

Atkinson took three wickets in four balls at one point, just missing out on a hat-trick, as he recorded the best figures by an Englishman on debut since Dominic Cork’s seven for 43, also against the West Indies, in 1995

Our Bureau And Agencies London Published 11.07.24, 10:04 AM
England v West Indies - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - July 10, 2024 England's Gus Atkinson celebrates after taking the wicket of West Indies' Jason Holder

England v West Indies - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - July 10, 2024 England's Gus Atkinson celebrates after taking the wicket of West Indies' Jason Holder Reuters

England finished the opening day of the first Test at Lord’s on 189/3, a lead of 68 runs, after bowling the West Indies out for 121 on Wednesday.

Ben Duckett (3), Ollie Pope (57) and Zak Crawley (76) were the England wickets to fall, with Joe Root and Harry Brook to resume the innings on Thursday morning.

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Earlier, fast bowler Gus Atkinson took seven wickets for 45 runs on his debut as England dismissed the West Indies in just under 42 overs.

Atkinson took three wickets in four balls at one point, just missing out on a hat-trick, as he recorded the best figures by an Englishman on debut since Dominic Cork’s seven for 43, also against the West Indies, in 1995.

James Anderson, playing in his 188th and final Test before retirement, claimed his 701st wicket to end the West Indies innings. He is third on the all-time wicket-takers list and needs seven more to join Australian Shane Warne (708) in second place behind Sri Lanka’s Muthiah Muralidaran (800).

Mikyle Louis, the first man from his island of St Kitts to play Test cricket for the West Indies, was his side’s top scorer with 27 in only his eighth first-class appearance.

The occasion was dedicated almost entirely to England’s retiring record wicket-taker, with Anderson’s daughters Ruby and Lola ringing the five-minute bell, montages of his best moments beamed out on the big screen before play and commemorative merchandise celebrating his 22-year career for sale in the club shop.

Captain Ben Stokes played his part by winning the toss and bowling first under cloudy skies, but Anderson was unable to give a sell-out crowd the breakthrough they wanted to celebrate.

Instead, it fell to newcomer Atkinson to give a glimpse of England’s future. Coming on after 10 wicketless overs from Anderson and Chris Woakes, the Surrey seamer struck with his second delivery in Test cricket, Kraigg Brathwaite chopping a routine delivery into his own stumps.

The 26-year-old Atkinson quickly had a second success to his name. This time it was a classical dismissal, duping Kirk McKenzie into a drive and seeing a thick edge sail through to Zak Crawley at slip. He finally conceded his first run at the start of his fourth over, but by then he had already made an eye-catching first impression.

Stokes joined the action at the Nursery End, finally ready to resume his role as fourth seamer after corrective knee surgery over the winter, and the skipper soon opened his account.

Opener Louis had lasted 58 balls on his maiden Test innings, collecting four fours on his way to 27, but played and missed several times against Stokes before eventually nicking one to Harry Brook.

Written with inputs from Reuters

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