In a spectacular display of all-round cricket, Gus Atkinson emerged as the hero on Day 2 of the second Test between England and Sri Lanka in the ongoing Sri Lanka tour of England 2024. The young all-rounder, playing a pivotal role in the absence of Ben Stokes, delivered a stellar performance with both the bat and ball at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Gus Atkinson shines with all-round brilliance
England Cricket’s official X (formerly Twitter) account posted a video featuring the 26-year-old Atkinson reflecting on his impressive innings and the opportunity to bat higher up the order.
“I’m happy at eight; eight is good,” Atkinson remarked in the video. “I haven’t thought about it too much… obviously missing Stokesy [Ben Stokes] this series gave me the opportunity to bat No. 8, and thankfully I scored a hundred. Going forward, obviously I’d like to bat as high as possible.”
“A day that dreams are made of”, England cricket captioned on their post.
A day that dreams are made of ❤️
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 30, 2024
Also WATCH: England captain Ollie Pope hits a bulls eye to dismiss Lahiru Kumara on Day 2 of the 2nd Test
Atkinson’s heroics shine at Lord’s
Atkinson’s maiden Test century was nothing short of remarkable. He reached the milestone in just 103 balls, marking the sixth-fastest century ever recorded in a Test match at Lord’s. His powerful innings, which set the stage for England’s commanding total of 427 in their first innings, was filled with clean, precise strokes, showcasing his natural ability with the bat. Despite his success, Atkinson revealed that he had been struggling with his batting earlier in the year.
“I’ve been frustrated with my batting this year: I haven’t really scored many runs for Surrey at all. But I know how good a player I can be. I feel like I’ve got so much natural ability with the bat and I felt like I was moving really well and hitting the ball really cleanly. It was just one of those days where it comes off for you.”
Atkinson’s performance didn’t end with his century. The all-rounder also made an impact with the ball, claiming two key wickets during Sri Lanka’s first innings. He dismissed Dinesh Chandimal for 23 runs and delivered a crucial blow by taking the wicket of Kamindu Mendis, who had put up a solid fight with 74 runs. His contributions with both bat and ball have further solidified England’s dominant position in the Test.
As the Test progresses, Atkinson’s emergence as a potential future star for England will be closely watched. His ability to deliver in high-pressure situations, combined with his versatility as both a batter and bowler, makes him a key player in England’s campaign against Sri Lanka and a bright prospect for the future. With England firmly in control after Day 2, they will look to press home their advantage and continue their winning momentum in this series, thanks in no small part to Atkinson’s heroics.
