Gus Atkinson's Historic Hundred Takes Him to Lord's Honour's Board, Equals England Legend's Record

Gus Atkinson on Friday scripted history as England took on Sri Lanka on the second day of the Lord’s Test. In just the 4^th game of his recently-started career, Atkinson became only the second England player after Sir Ian Botham to register a Test hundred and pick up a ten-wicket match haul at Lord’s in the same season. The 26-year-old is also the 4^th batter to score a Test hundred at Lord’s, batting at no.8.

Atkinson, who made his Test debut against the West Indies at Lord’s last month, scored 118 off 115 balls, with the help of 14 boundaries and 4 sixes. His previous highest first-class score was 91 for Surrey against a Sri Lanka Development XI in 2022.

Atkinson resumed Friday just 26 runs shy of three figures after his quickfire 74 not out on Thursday added impetus to Joe Root’s 143 in an overnight total of 358-7. England, fresh from a five-wicket win in the first Test at Old Trafford last week, saw Atkinson start Friday in superb style.

Atkinson went to his century in storybook fashion, driving Kumara down the ground into the Pavilion for another stylish four — his 11th in a century completed in just 103 balls and also featuring four sixes.

A spectacular innings came to a spectacular end when Atkinson mistimed a pull off an Asitha Fernando bouncer and was brilliantly caught by a diving Milan Rathnayake as he launched himself towards the rope.

Atkinson walked off to a rousing reception, having faced just 115 balls, including 14 fours and four sixes. Fernando ended the innings soon afterwards by dismissing Stone to secure his place on the honours boards with a return of 5-102 in 21 overs.

Atkinson’s 10-wicket haul vs West Indies

Atkinson marked that occasion with 12 wickets (7-45 & 5-61) to etch his name on the famed Lord’s dressing room honours boards reserved for bowlers who take five or more wickets in a Test innings and 10 or more in a match.