Photo: Collected
An unforgettable debut and a memorable farewell headlined England's comprehensive victory by an innings and 114 runs in the first Test against West Indies at Lord's, in a Test match that bridged generations and marked the symbolic passing of the baton.
Gus Atkinson, with match figures of 12 for 106, became the first bowler to bag 10 wickets on debut at Lord's since 1972, and his bowling performance was the second best for England on debut after Frederick Martin's 12 for 102 in 1972 against Australia. James Anderson's swansong ended with figures of 3-32 in the second innings as he finished his Test career as the third leading wicket-taker with 704.
It was also a Test match that confirmed Ben Stokes's return to full bowling fitness as the England captain bowled 18 overs across two innings, picking up three wickets. This included eight overs at one go in the first innings and 10 overs on the trot in the second.
Having been reduced to 79/6 at stumps on Day 2, with still 171 runs in deficit, West Indies' lower order couldn't offer much of a resistance, getting bowled out for 136 in their second essay. Anderson delivered the first strike of the day, getting Joshua Da Silva to edge to the 'keeper with a typical delivery that angled in and shaped away. Atkinson got Alzarri Joseph on the hook to pick up his third wicket of the innings and the 26-year old debutant then had Shamar Joseph bowled with a yorker for his 11th wicket of the match.
The focus shifted to Anderson as he received hugs from his team-mates and the coach, and was greeted by the West Indian players, as he led the team off the field for the last time.
The platform for England's victory was set up on the opening day after Stokes opted to bowl, with Atkinson running through the West Indies batting order to bowl them out for 121. Atkinson became the seventh Englishman to pick up seven in an innings on debut - his 7/45 only bettered by Dominic Cork's 7/43 against West Indies at the Lord's back in 1995.
The ever reliable Anderson and Stokes combined to leave West Indies in a disarray in the second innings before the veteran joined forces with Atkinson for the finishing touches to England's dominating performance as they ended the match inside the first session on the third day.
Messenger/Nishat
