Debutant Gus Atkinson Steals Spotlight in James Anderson’s Farewell Test With Record-Breaking Fifer at Lord’s

London, Jul 10: England debutant Gus Atkinson picked up the baton on the first morning of James Anderson's farewell Test, striking twice as the West Indies reached 61-3 in the opening session at Lord's. The occasion was dedicated almost entirely to England's retiring record wicket-taker, with Anderson's daughters Ruby and Lola ringing the five-minute bell, montages of his best moments beamed out on the big screen before play and commemorative merchandise celebrating his 22-year career for sale in the club shop. James Anderson Scalps His 701st Wicket In His Last Test Match Ahead of Retirement As He Dismisses Jayden Seales During ENG vs WI 1st Test 2024 (Watch Video).

Captain Ben Stokes played his part by winning the toss and bowling first under cloudy skies, but Anderson was unable to give a sell-out crowd the breakthrough they wanted to celebrate. Instead, it fell to newcomer Atkinson to give a glimpse of England's future. Coming on after 10 wicketless overs from Anderson and Chris Woakes, the Surrey seamer struck with his second delivery in test cricket, Kraigg Brathwaite chopping a routine delivery into his own stumps. Arshdeep Singh Receives Guard of Honour From Young Cricketers On Return to Jaswant Rai Academy in Chandigarh For Winning T20 World Cup 2024 With Team India, Video Goes Viral.

The 26-year-old Atkinson quickly had a second success to his name. This time it was a classical dismissal, duping Kirk McKenzie into a drive and seeing a thick edge sail through to Zak Crawley at slip. He finally conceded his first run at the start of his fourth over, but by then he had already made an eye-catching first impression and left the field with figures of 5-4-2-2.

Stokes joined the action at the Nursery End, finally ready to resume his role as fourth seamer after corrective knee surgery over the winter, and the skipper soon opened his account. Opener Mikyle Louis had lasted 58 balls on his maiden test innings, collecting four fours on his way to 27, but played and missed several times against Stokes before eventually nicking one. Harry Brook dived to pluck an outstanding one-handed catch an inch above the turf.

Anderson returned for a second spell before lunch but could not land the wicket he craved, coming closest when Kavem Hodge squirted an inside edge past leg stump as he departed with figures of nought for 20.

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