Atkinson seven puts England on top against Windies

West Indies 121 (Louis 27, Atkinson 7-45)
England 189/3 (Crawley 76, Pope 57, Seales 2-31)
England lead by 68 runs

Gus Atkinson’s scintillating spell of 7-45 showed England a future beyond James Anderson and put the home side in a commanding position on day one of the first Test against West Indies.

While Lord’s began the farewell to Anderson in the final Test of his legendary career, it was Atkinson, winning his first cap, who led the way with the best figures by an England debutant for 29 years.

At one point the Surrey pace bowler claimed a triple-wicket maiden as the tourists fell apart in a slump of four wickets for no runs in eight balls.

Anderson nipped in to have last man Jayden Seales lbw, leaving West Indies 121 all out after they had been asked to bat under dark skies and floodlights.

On a true, slow pitch, Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope swiftly put England ahead following Ben Duckett’s edge behind off Seales for only three.

Crawley could have been run out without scoring and Pope overturned being given lbw on 33, but they used the reprieves to add 94 for the second wicket.

Pope was eventually leg-before to Jason Holder for 57 and Crawley bowled by Seales for 76, allowing Joe Root and Harry Brook to take England to 189-3 and a lead of 68.