In what turned out to be a memorable day for England, young pace bowler Gus Atkinson lit up Lord’s with a stunning maiden Test century. In a match where England faced consistent pressure from Sri Lanka, Atkinson’s remarkable innings stood out as a beacon of resilience and skill, particularly from a player more renowned for his bowling.
The day didn’t start easily for England. Every time they seemed to gain an upper hand, Sri Lanka managed to claw back by taking wickets. At one point, England found themselves in a precarious position at 216 for 6. It was then that Atkinson, usually lower down the order and without a first-class century to his name, walked to the crease.
What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Initially, Atkinson teamed up with Joe Root in a vital 92-run partnership, during which Root himself reached a significant milestone—his 33rd Test century. This achievement saw Root equalling Sir Alastair Cook’s record for the most Test hundreds by an Englishman and surpassing Cook in terms of runs scored on English soil.
However, it was Atkinson’s own innings that stole the show. Together with Matthew Potts, he added a further 83 runs, frustrating the Sri Lankan bowlers and pushing England into a position of strength. The Sri Lankans, who had been on top for much of the day, suddenly found themselves on the back foot, as Atkinson’s counterattack wore them down.
Atkinson reached the nervous nineties with a punch through cover for four off Kumara. Despite a brief moment of uncertainty when he nearly edged one behind, he soon drove another through the off-side to reach his century. The crowd at Lord’s erupted as he raised his arms in celebration—103 off 103 balls, an innings that will be remembered for its audacity and flair. A thumping pull took him to 107 before his innings came to an end, but the damage had been done.
Atkinson’s century was not just a personal milestone but also the sixth fastest ever scored at Lord’s, adding to the historic nature of the occasion. For a player primarily known for his pace bowling, this innings was a reminder of the unpredictable magic of Test cricket.
