England’s Test debutant Gus Atkinson had a splendid Day 1 as he snapped seven wickets to help the hosts restrict West Indies for 121 in the first Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
Atkinson removed Kraigg Braithwaite, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph as he finished with bowling figures of 7/45 off his 12 overs – third-best for an England bowler on Test debut.
The 26-year-old’s 7-fer came on Day 1 of what is England pace veteran James Anderson’s last Test match. Anderson claimed the last wicket – his 701st in Tests – to wrap up the Windies innings.
Best bowling figures for England on Test debut
| Bowler | Debut figures vs Team | Year |
| John Ferris | 7/37 vs South Africa | 1892 |
| Dominic Cork | 7/43 vs West Indies | 1995 |
| Gus Atkinson | 7/45 vs West Indies | 2024 |
| John Lever | 7/46 vs India | 1976 |
| Alec Bedser | 7/49 vs India | 1946 |
“All the build-up around Jimmy might’ve helped the likes of Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith because they’ve gone under the radar a bit, it’s allowed them to just crack on,” former England captain Michael Vaughan told BBC Sport.
“But that’s a very promising start from Atkinson. He bowled with good zip and pace at the first time of asking. For a long time now England have wanted to build this crop of fast bowlers and he has delivered,” Vaughan added.
West Indies are in England for a three-match Test series. While the Windies are currently sixth in the 2023/25 World Test Championship (WTC) points table, England are at the bottom of the nine-team tally.
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Ben Stokes and Co are playing their first Test series since the 4-1 defeat in India earlier this year.
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