• Gus Atkinson demolished West Indies with his incredible bowling performance for England on Day 1 of Lord’s Test.

  • Atkinson bagged seven wickets at the historic venue on his Test debut.

Fans react as England dominates Day 1 after Gus Atkinson rips apart West Indies on his Test debut at Lord’s
Gus Atkinson (Image Source: X)

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In James Anderson‘s farewell Test for England during the first match of the three-game series at Lord’s against the West Indies, debutant Gus Atkinson emerged as the standout performer, delivering a mesmerizing bowling spell.

Electing to field first, England initially struggled but found their stride thanks to Atkinson’s brilliant debut performance. The Surrey quickly dismantled the West Indies batting lineup, finishing with outstanding figures of 7/45 in just 12 overs. His spell included a remarkable feat of taking three wickets in a single over, demonstrating both pace and precision on his Test debut.

Momentum shift at Lord’s: England’s resurgence

The opening Test at the iconic Lord’s witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum. West Indies, led by Kraigg Brathwaite and debutant Mikyle Louis, made a promising start before Atkinson intervened with crucial breakthroughs. England tightened their grip with disciplined fielding, restricting West Indies to 61/3 by lunch, thereby reclaiming control of the game after a slow start.

Gus Atkinson’s phenomenal bowling spell

The second session belonged entirely to Atkinson, who continued to dominate with his exceptional bowling prowess. His seven-wicket haul on debut dismantled the West Indies batting lineup, exposing their vulnerabilities. Atkinson’s ability to swing the ball effectively troubled the West Indies middle order, with Alick Athanaze, Jason Holder and Joshua da Silva among his victims after lunch. Chris Woakes complemented Atkinson’s brilliance with a crucial wicket, contributing to West Indies’ collapse for a mere 121 runs.

Also WATCH – ENG vs WI: Harry Brook takes a sublime one handed catch to dismiss Mikyle Louis on Day 1 of the Lord’s Test

Records tumble: Atkinson’s debut feat

Atkinson’s remarkable debut performance also etched his name in history, securing the third-best figures for an English pacer on debut. His achievement surpasses former international John Lever‘s record, highlighting Atkinson’s immediate impact at the highest level of cricket. The best-ever debut figures by an English bowler remain John Ferris’s 7 wickets for 37 runs against South Africa in 1892, underscoring Atkinson’s place among England’s elite debutants.

England’s response: Building a commanding lead

England began their innings cautiously, losing Ben Duckett early but regaining composure through Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope‘s resilient partnership. Both batters notched up fifties, with a 94-run stand for the second wicket steering England towards a commanding position. Despite interruptions due to bad light, Joe Root and Harry Brook continued to consolidate England’s dominance, aiming to extend their first-innings lead. As play halted for the day, England held a substantial lead of 68 runs with Root and Brook poised to capitalize further on Day 2.

Here’s how Fans reacted:

Also WATCH: James Anderson gets emotional as his daughters ring the bell at Lord’s in legendary pacer’s farewell Test – ENG vs WI

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AMAR PAL SINGH BHALLA
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