ENG vs WI | Twitter in awe as Atkinson steamrolls his way to debut fifer with three-wicket over

07/10/2024

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Triggering a game-changing collapse, en route to a dream debut fifer, in front of a packed Lord's to kick off the English summer? Lo and behold, Bazball has it's newest superstar. The young and fiery Gus Atkinson stole all the spotlight in James Anderson's farewell Test with a breathtaking spell.

‌West Indies' showed good resolve to begin their three-match Test series in England with a 34-run opening stand but their hopes quickly waned as the side collapsed to 88/7 shortly after Lunch. Debutant right-arm quick Gus Atkinson kickstarted the Windies' procession with the wickets of Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk McKenzie in his opening spell but it was his showing the second-time round that truly got Lord's and the English team roaring like the three lions on their badge.

Having been punished for two boundaries and a maximum across his first three overs in the second session, Atkinson took the ball in hand again for the 15th over. On the second delivery, he scalped the crucial wicket of the great Caribbean hope Alick Athanaze with a length delivery that hurried off the deck to take the outside edge and fly into Joe Root's hands at first slip. Jason Holder, batting at a career-high number six, walked in next and was greeted by a cross-seam delivery angling to his pads first-up. A meek attempt at a flick resulted in yet another edge, with Harry Brook ensuring Atkinson's tally ticks up to four. Wicket-keeper batter Joshua da Silva survived the 146ks hat-trick delivery first up but had no response to the length delivery that followed as it decked in sharply off the pitch to take the inside edge and nestle into Jamie Smith's gloves.

Atkinson was ecstatic at his heroics and wheeled away with his arms spread wide, inviting skipper Ben Stokes to sprint in and engulf him into a hug. The rest of the team followed behind to mob the Surrey pacer and the cameras caught a proud James Anderson beaming while Atkinson showed off the red cherry to the crowd, triggering a flurry of reactions social media.

Three in an over

💥 BANG! BANG! BANG! 💥

THREE WICKETS IN FOUR BALLS FROM GUS ATKINSON! 🤩#EnglandCricket | #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/5CtwELJC5V
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 10, 2024

Very impressive

Unfortunately 🥲

Impressive bowling by Gus Atkinson, however 👏
— Aryan Persaud (@gyav8r) July 10, 2024

Lucky

I have been lucky to see Gus Atkinson for Surrey, you could tell he was going to be a star, brilliant to see him smashing it for England
— Alastair Wood (@allyboy82) July 10, 2024

Only reason

GuS aTkInSon iS oNly In tHe teAm BeCauSe hE pLayS fOr sURreY
— Matthew Key (@Matt_Key11) July 10, 2024

Best time

No better time to hold your hand up - and Gus Atkinson has done just that by taking 5 wickets on Test debut - no Surrey bias, honest!
— AmerCric 🏏 ✍️ (@Amermalik12) July 10, 2024

Take a bow

Gus Atkinson take a bow 👏🏏
— Jack 🐺 Loftus (@JackPLoftus) July 10, 2024

In the headlines

It is poetic that it's a debutant that takes the headlines when everybody was talking about a bowler playing his last test. Well bowled Gus Atkinson.
— Harry Watt (@saywattharry) July 10, 2024

Ridiculous

Gus Atkinson's best figures in 19 FC games are 6/68.

In his first innings in Test cricket, he has already returned 5/20 in 9 overs.

Ridiculous.
— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) July 10, 2024

Lot worse