LONDON: Debutant Gus Atkinson blew away West Indies with a seven-wicket haul before Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope’s half-centuries gave England a 68-run lead on the opening day of the first Test of the three-match series here at Lord’s.
In James Anderson’s final Test, England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and put West Indies into bat.
Anderson, the most successful pacer in the history of Test cricket, was honoured by his teammates as he was asked to lead the side marching onto the field.
The right-arm pacer also received a standing ovation from the capacity crowd at the home of cricket while his daughters rang the five-minute bell before the commencement of the action as visibly emotional Anderson looked on.
But the attention soon tilted towards debutant pacer Atkinson as he wreaked havoc with a seven-wicket haul.
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Gus Atkinson was supported by skipper Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes and Anderson as England booked West Indies on a meagre 121 in the first innings.
In response, Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope’s fifties recovered England from a shaky start as opening batter Ben Duckett perished cheaply.
Crawley and Pope partnered strongly to add 94 runs for the second wicket until Jason Holder struck to get rid of the latter.
Pope scored 57 off 74 deliveries with the help of 11 boundaries.
Zak Crawley then put together a brief partnership with Joe Root before a searing Seales’ yorker drew curtains on his brilliant knock.
He remained the top-scorer for England with a brisk 76 which featured 14 boundaries.
Root (15) combined with Harry Brook (25) and together they raised an unbeaten 46 before the umpires called it a day.
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