The fastest path to cricket history at Lord's

Sport & Games · Published 20 October 2026 · Updated 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In just one summer, Gus Atkinson transformed from a promising prospect into a historical outlier. By combining elite fast bowling with rare batting prowess, he achieved a feat at Lord's that hadn't been seen in over a century, cementing his place as one of England's most versatile modern talents.

Atkinson's ascent reached a fever pitch during the 2024 English summer. Making his Test debut at Lord's on July 10, 2024, against the West Indies, he produced a staggering performance of 12/106. Such statistics represented the finest for an England newcomer in 134 years, securing his place upon the renowned Lord's honours boards. His impact was immediate, establishing him as a premier right-arm fast bowler for the national side. The following month, Atkinson added a rare dimension to his game by scoring his maiden first-class century against Sri Lanka at the same ground. This feat made him only the sixth player in history to take five wickets in an innings, ten in a match, and score a century at Lord's.

Furthermore, he became the first England player since Ian Botham in 1984 to score a century and take five wickets in the second innings of the same Test match. Beyond individual milestones, Atkinson has displayed remarkable consistency and durability. In December 2024, he became the first Englishman to bowl a hat-trick in all Tests since 2017. After enduring a hamstring injury during the 2025 English summer's opening Test versus Zimbabwe, he rejoined the side to claim his fourth five-wicket haul of that series. Colleagues have acknowledged his swift ascent, granting him the 2024 Cricket Writers' Club Player of the Year title and inclusion among the 2025 Wisden Cricketers of the Year.

Atkinson's career is also defined by strategic management of his physical output. In early 2024, he notably withdrew from a £95,000 IPL contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders. This decision followed discussions with the England and Wales Cricket Board, who prioritized managing his workload to ensure his long-term availability for international duties.

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