Gus Atkinson’s Maiden Century Fuels England’s Dominance on Day Two
Gus Atkinson’s meteoric rise continued as the 26-year-old all-rounder scored his maiden Test century, helping England dominate day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s.
After taking 12 wickets on debut against West Indies on this very ground last month, Atkinson became the first England number eight to score a Test ton in 11 years. The young prodigy needed just 22 deliveries on Friday morning to progress from an overnight 74 to his first century in professional cricket.
Atkinson is a Gem for England’s Future
The columnist is thrilled by Atkinson’s meteoric rise, as the Surrey CCC player has now etched his name on each of the three honours boards at Lord’s in the span of just five days. Alec Stewart and Surrey deserve credit for closely monitoring Atkinson’s workload, and the time has come to unleash the young talent. Staying close to veteran Jimmy Anderson will only help Atkinson continue his rapid development and become a gem for England in the years to come.
Bairstow Responds with a Vengeance
Jonny Bairstow, who was told by selectors that he remains in the picture across all formats, has answered his critics in style. The Yorkshire batsman smashed a blistering 160 against Middlesex, showcasing his unwavering determination to regain his spot in the national side. Bairstow’s ‘I’ll show you’ attitude has always been one of his biggest strengths, and the selectors’ message has only fueled his fire to rediscover his best form.
Time for Four-Day Tests?
This series has reignited the debate about the necessity of five-day Test matches. Lloyd points out that Lord’s may only be half-full on day four, as the fans know they might not get much cricket. The columnist believes that four-day Tests with 100 overs per day, starting and finishing half an hour earlier, would be a better solution, forcing the players to “get on with it.”
Ouse Been a Bit Silly
In a lighter moment, the columnist had to explain himself to the Vipers after a boating mishap on the River Ouse. After a few drinks with friends, Lloyd failed to properly tie up the boat, resulting in a flat battery and an inability to get the engine going. He jokingly suggests he may need to call on the expertise of legendary sailors Sir Francis Chichester or Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.
Anderson’s Guiding Hand
England’s potent attack, even without the injured Mark Wood and Jofra Archer, has been bowling with impressive discipline, which Lloyd attributes to the influence of veteran seamer Jimmy Anderson. The columnist believes Anderson’s wisdom is being passed on to the next generation of England bowlers, contributing to their success.
Umpires’ Hasty Decision
Lloyd also questions the umpires’ decision to abandon Northamptonshire’s game at Bristol on Thursday, feeling that they called it off too early. The columnist believes that pitches tend to quieten down, and that bowlers like Ajeet Singh Dale, who he has seen impress at York, should have been given more time to adapt.
🔗 Source