Gus Atkinson makes history in triple-feat summer at Lord’s
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Gus Atkinson made sure he would be remembered at the famous cricket ground when he scored his first century in a Test match against Sri Lanka.
Atkinson began the second day at Lord’s with a score of 74 runs from only 81 balls. He played aggressively but carefully, without giving any opportunities for the opposing team. He continued in the same manner, displaying little signs of nervousness.
After making a big impact on the global stage in the beginning of the summer, capturing 12 wickets and achieving a five-wicket haul in his debut Test match, which also happened to be James Anderson's final game, he has now scored a hundred runs. Atkinson's century was scored at a rapid pace, with an impressive eleven fours and four sixes included.
Atkinson's exceptional performance at Lord's made him just the sixth player in history to achieve a century, five wickets in an innings, and 10 wickets in a match. He was dismissed for 118 after being caught on the boundary, receiving a round of applause as he exited the field.
The purpose was clear from the start of the day, when he hit Lahiru Kumara for four runs with a clip, and then hit another boundary through the covers.
Atkinson was hit on the leg while batting on 82 and the umpire ruled him out lbw. However, Atkinson challenged the decision right away and the review system overturned the decision because the ball was not hitting the stumps due to its movement. This made Marcus Trescothick celebrate on the England team's balcony.
He continued his play with a lucky hit that narrowly missed the stumps, scoring a single. Then, he hit another four, bringing his score to 87. A lucky edge helped him avoid the fielders' hands.
Atkinson entered the 1990s with a strong shot from his hip, surpassing his previous best score of 91 in first-class cricket. He had set that record while playing for Surrey against a Sri Lanka development XI at Beckham two years earlier.
The 26-year-old advanced to 99 with a strong shot through extra cover towards the Warner Stand. Joe Root needed 12 deliveries to go from 99 to reaching 100. Atkinson also seemed anxious, attempting a shot outside off stump that narrowly missed the edge of the bat.
Atkinson hit the ball towards the pavilion to score three runs, then pumped both fists in the air in celebration before removing his helmet.
