Left Arm Around

Gus Atkinson shone with seven wickets as England bowled out West Indies for 121 on day one of the first Test of the summer at Lord’s.

The Surrey debutant finished with remarkable figures of 7-45, including three in four balls, to put his name on the famous honours board at the first time of asking.

“I walked in after play and the board is right where I’m sitting”, commented Atkinson.

“I’m very proud. I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet.”

Much of the talk this week has deservedly centred around the final match and impending retirement of legendary fast bowler James Anderson, but Atkinson certainly stole the headlines with a stunning spell of quick accurate bowling.

The hosts were rewarded with a flurry of wickets early on in the afternoon session after a fantastic display of discipline and patience.

West Indies looked to be decently placed on 88-3 as Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge set about building a partnership, however Atkinson had other ideas.

First dismissing Athanaze for 23 courtesy of a smart Joe Root slip catch, he struck again the very next ball as Jason Holder was squared up and caught by Harry Brook.

Wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva managed to defend the hat-trick ball, but then fell for a second-ball duck as he feathered a inside edge behind to Jamie Smith- giving Atkinson’s fellow debutant his first catch in Test cricket.

88-7 soon became 106-9 with Alzarri Joseph falling for an entertaining 17 and Shamar Joseph for a duck, while Anderson took the final scalp of Jaydon Seales LBW to end the tourists’ innings on 121 all-out from just 41.4 overs.

Anderson, 41, will overtake the great Shane Warne’s record of 708 Test wickets should he take eight in the WI second innings.

St Kitts born Mikyle Louis top-scored with 27 opening the batting for WI on his Test debut.

Ben Duckett looked uncomfortable before falling for three in England’s reply, yet a superb second-wicket partnership of 94 between Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley ensured the hosts took the lead in extremely quick time.

The impressive Holder was rewarded the dismissal of Pope LBW for 57, while Sussex star Seales (2-31) executed brilliantly to remove the dangerous Crawley on 76.

Kent’s Crawley appeared destined to reach his 5th Test century before Seales clattered into his stumps with a pinpoint yorker.

Bad light briefly interrupted play prior to the close, but Yorkshire pair Root and Brook eased any fears of a late collapse.

25-year-old Brook seemed to be in sublime touch as he ended 25 not out from only 29 balls; the Three Lions ending 68 runs ahead of 189/3.

Both Brook and Root will hope to bat long into day two with England aiming to create a huge lead at the home of cricket.

Whatever happens, maybe English pace bowling is in safe hands after all…