Gus Atkinson joins Ian Botham, Vinoo Mankad in legendary list to wrap up dream Lord's Test

The 26-year-old England National Cricket Team right-arm pacer Gus Atkinson continued his love affairs with Lord's Cricket Ground in the second Test of the three-match series against Sri Lanka National Cricket Team and finished the series on a high to continue his dream run in Test cricket for the Three Lions.

Gus Atkinson has played just 5 Test matches and has already established himself as a permanent member of the team. He has delivered some unbelievable performances in these 5 matches both with bat and ball, showcasing he has a very bright future in the longest format of the game.

Gus Atkinson smashed 118 runs off 115 balls, including 14 fours and 4 sixes, in the first innings against Sri Lanka in the second Test and then registered bowling figures of 2/40 & 5/62 to bag the Player of the Match award.

Atkinson, who is the fastest player to register his name in all three Lord's honours boards, bagged the PoTM award over Joe Root, who hit twin tons, as England sealed a 190-run win to earn a victory in the series.

Meanwhile, Gus Atkinson became just the third player in history to bag a double of five-for and a ton at Lord's. As he achieved the sensational feat, he joined Vinoo Mankad (1952) and Ian Botham (1978) in an elite list. Also, he is just the third English cricketer after Tony Greig (1 time) and Ian Botham (5 times) to achieve this double in Test cricket history.

The 26-year-old absolutely loves playing at Lord's as he has bagged 19 wickets in just 2 games at the venue at an average of 10.94, a strike rate of 15.9, and has already taken 3 five-fors. On the list of most wickets for England after 5 Tests, he sits at the joint-second position, where he shares the spot with Fred Trueman and Thomas Richardson, with only Nicholas Cook (34 wickets) above them.

Also, Gus Atkinson, with 19 wickets and three five-fors at Lord’s this summer, equaled Ian Botham's record, who achieved the same numbers in a single season at the venue in two Tests against Pakistan and New Zealand in 1978.

To get on both honours boards, it's incredible - Gus Atkinson

Speaking after winning the Player of the Match award, Gus Atkinson stated that registering his name on Lord’s honours board felt incredible and it will take him some time to sink it in. He said:

"I couldn't have asked for much more. To get on both honours boards, it's incredible. It'll take a while to sink in."

Atkinson also lauded Joe Root for becoming England's leading century-maker with his sensational 34th hundred and said that batting alongside him was special. The pacer signed off by being hopeful of continuing his heroics at Lord's. He stated:

"(On Root) He's been excellent this week. Batting alongside him for so long in the first innings was very special. First red-ball games at Lord's and it's gone pretty well, I enjoy bowling with the slope, it's just gone my way and long may it continue."