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Surrey seamer Gus Atkinson (7-45) demonstrated that England's Test future is bright as he led the hosts in dismissing the West Indies for 121 on the first day of the opening Test at Lord's.

At 26 years old, Atkinson joined an elite group of England players who have taken a five-for on debut, including Tom Hartley (vs India, 2024), Josh Tongue (vs Australia, 2023), Rehan Ahmed (vs Pakistan, 2023), and Will Jacks (vs Pakistan, 2022). Remarkably, Atkinson exceeded this milestone by claiming seven wickets.

In his 12 overs, Atkinson delivered 30 dot balls and, in a sensational spell, claimed three wickets in four deliveries, leaving the Lord's crowd in awe. Just four overs later, he captured two wickets in three balls, sparking celebrations among his teammates and spectators.

Atkinson’s debut was marked by an impressive start, taking the first two wickets without conceding a run and becoming the fifth player on debut under Ben Stokes to secure a five-for. He also set a record as the quickest Englishman to achieve this feat, doing so in just 53 balls.

Earlier this summer, England's managing director Rob Key emphasized the importance of bowlers who could offer pace, and Atkinson delivered on both pace and wickets.

Atkinson's final figures of 7-45 are the third-best for an Englishman on Test debut, just behind Dominic Cork's 7-43 against the West Indies in 1995.

Atkinson’s impact was immediate, taking a wicket with his second ball as he induced an edge from West Indies' captain Kraigg Brathwaite (six), which hit the stumps for England’s breakthrough. Initially using cross-seam deliveries, Atkinson switched to a tighter wobble seam on the dry pitch, which troubled the left-handers. Kirk McKenzie (one) and Alick Athanaze (23) both edged to Zak Crawley and Jamie Smith, respectively.

Having played only 21 first-class games before his Test debut, Atkinson's performance validated England’s scouting system, which prioritizes technology over traditional selection methods. This system also discovered Somerset's off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who impressed on his debut in India earlier this year and was re-selected for this Test.

Harry Brook (25 not out), returning to the Test team after missing the India tour for personal reasons, continued his strong start to his Test career. The 25-year-old Yorkshireman, who scored 809 runs in his first six appearances for England, looks poised to further strengthen England's batting lineup.

With James Anderson retiring after the Lord's Test, England is witnessing a transition. Under Ben Stokes' leadership, the team is preparing for the 2025 Ashes with a promising group of young players, ensuring a secure and exciting future for England cricket.