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
Very impressive
Only reason
Best time
In the headlines
Ridiculous
Essence passed
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