Gus Atkinson took the wicket on the second ball of his test debut for England at Lords. The quick bowler took 7 for 45 as West Indies were bowled out for 121.
Atkinson took two wickets in his first 14 balls on the first morning, but it was his second spell that sent West Indies into a tailspin. He took three wickets in four balls in his ninth over, ripping the heart out of West Indies’ middle order, then took two in three during his 11th. His figures were the second-best by an England bowler on their Test debut, behind only Dominic Cork.
Anderson, playing his 188th and final Test, bowled nine wicket less overs before lunch and was brought back to take the final wicket of the innings, trapping Jayden Seales LBW to a loud ovation from the Lord’s crowd. But it was Atkinson, the Surrey fast bowler, who led England off the field midway through a remarkable first day as a Test cricketer. He was emotional for his farewell match but he knows he has work to do by destroying the oppositions batsmen.
There was much build up for this match as it will be the last match of Legendary fast bowler James Anderson, who has announced his retirement after this match.
James “Jammy” Anderson has been an exceptional bowler for England for almost 22 years and still playing international match in his early 40’s. His fitness at this age is quite extra ordinary. His last outswing has tormented batsmen all around the world for years.
Before this match James Anderson had played 187 test matches, took 700 wickets including 32 five wickets haul.
He is the first fast bowler to reach 700 wickets mark as the bowlers who have picked more wickets than him are legendary spinners.
According to the reports, he would be knighted after this match in an official ceremony. He will then rightly known as “Sir James Anderson”.