Gus Atkinson's Dream Debut for England

Gus Atkinson (Image Source: Google)

Gus Atkinson, England's right-arm fast bowler, picked up 7/45 in his test debut at Lords against the West Indies. 

Atkinson's remarkable return was the second best by an England bowler on Test debut, with Dominic Cork taking 7-43 against the West Indies, also at Lord's, in 1995. 

The 26-year-old Atkinson had a dream debut, removing West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite with just his second ball and later taking three wickets in one extraordinary over after lunch.

Before his test debut, Atkinson has already played nine ODIs and two T20Is for England, picking up 11 and 6 wickets, respectively.

He made his T20I debut on September 1, 2023, against New Zealand in the second T20I of the four-match series. During that match, he took figures of 4/20, which were the best by an England men's bowler on his T20I debut. On the same tour, he made his ODI debut as well.

The best figures by an England men's bowler on debut in Tests:

• Dominic Cork: 7/43 against the West Indies in 1995
• Gus Atkinson: 7/45 against the West Indies in 2024
• John Lever, 7/46 vs. India in 1976

BANG! BANG! BANG!

THREE WICKETS IN FOUR BALLS FROM GUS ATKINSON! #EnglandCricket | #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/5CtwELJC5V

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 10, 2024

"I'm very proud, but I don't think it's really sunk in yet, to be honest," said Atkinson. "I was just looking up at the honours board, looking at my figures, thinking, 'wow'. It was a very special day."