Gus Atkinson takes 7 wickets on debut, becomes first England bowler to achieve this incredible feat this century

Gus Atkinson, on Wednesday (July 10), enjoyed a stunning debut as his 7-wicket haul blew West Indies away on day one of the ongoing Test at Lord's.

England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and invited West Indies to bat first. The visitors started cautiously with captain Kraigg Brathwaite and debutant Mikyle Louis making sure to keep their wickets intact in the first ten overs.

After James Anderson and Chris Woakes failed to provide the first breakthrough for England, Ben Stokes introduced Gus Atkinson into the attack for the 11th over and the pacer made an instant impact. In his very first over, the right-arm pacer dismissed Brathwaite to give England the much-needed first breakthrough. In the 15th over, he struck again to remove Kirk McKenzie for 1.

He then went on to complete a memorable 5-wicket haul on his debut in style by taking 3 wickets inside an over. In the 35th over, he first dismissed a well-set Alick Athanaze for 23 before sending back Jason Holder (0) and Joshua Da Silva (0) to complete his 5-wicket haul.

The 3 wickets inside an over saw West Indies getting reduced to 88 for 6 from 88 for 3. Later, he dismissed Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph as well to finish the innings with brilliant figures of 7 for 45 in 12 overs. For West Indies, no batter could even touch the 30-run mark with debutant Louis' 27-run knock being the best effort as they were bowled out for 121.

Gus Atkinson's record-equaling spell:

The brilliant spell on debut has helped Gus Atkinson equal the English record for most wickets in an innings on debut. He became the fifth English bowler to take 7 wickets in an innings on Test debut.

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The first England bowler to achieve the feat was John Ferris who picked up 7 wickets on debut against South Africa in 1892. Gus Atkinson also became the first England bowler to take 7 wickets in an innings on debut this century.

Best figures on Test debut for England:

• 7/37 - John Ferris vs South Africa, Cape Town, 1892
• 7/43 - Dominic Cork vs West Indies, Lord's, 1995
• 7/45 - Gus Atkinson vs West Indies, Lord's, 2024
• 7/46 - John Lever vs India, Delhi, 1976
• 7/49 - Alec Bedser vs India, Lord's, 1946

Talking about the game, England were on 88 for 1 in the 19th over a the time of writing this report. Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope were batting in the middle for the hosts.