- England took management of the primary Take a look at towards the West Indies on Wednesday
- Matthew Potts was unfortunate to overlook out, however Gus Atkinson took his likelihood
- West Indies solely made 121, and lack the presence of their best groups
England loved a dominant opening day of the primary Take a look at as they bowled West Indies out for 121 after which reached 189-3 by the shut of play.
In Jimmy Anderson’s farewell Take a look at, it was Gus Atkinson who stole the present as he took seven wickets on his debut, whereas Anderson, Chris Woakes and captain Ben Stokes all picked up one apiece.
Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope then set about placing England in management as they hit 76 and 57 respectively after Ben Duckett fell early.
As soon as Crawley and Pope had been dismissed, Joe Root and Harry Brook noticed England by to the shut with no additional scares.
Right here, Mail Sport columnist David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd takes you thru a few of the tales you will have missed from day one on the residence of cricket.
Gus Atkinson (left) stole the present on Wednesday by taking seven wickets on debut
Jimmy Anderson (proper) took one wicket within the first innings of his farewell Take a look at
Potty to not choose Potts
England’s workforce choice brought about some intrigue. Jimmy Anderson is being pushed apart with a watch on subsequent 12 months’s Ashes.
But he was bowling extra shortly than his new-ball accomplice Chris Woakes. So why have they persevered with Woakes? The reply is he’s been picked as a batter at No 8.
However Matt Potts is 10 years his junior and gained’t get any higher with the ball sat on his a***.
England’s choice to not choose Matthew Potts (pictured) was obscure
Jamie resides the dream
One other previous chestnut for England has been choosing a wicketkeeper who doesn’t maintain wicket for Surrey.
So why has Jamie Smith obtained the nod? Effectively, he’s a effective batter and enough donning the gloves.
The place he’s involved, consider that D:Ream monitor Issues Can Solely Get Higher. Within the build-up to this Take a look at, it was the remix ‘Issues can solely get wetter’ that was caught in my head.
Jamie Smith doesn’t maintain wicket for Surrey however obtained the nod to get the gloves for England
Sending like to Boycs
Have you ever seen Kraigg Brathwaite’s bat? The West Indies captain is an old-school blocker who jogs my memory of Geoffrey Boycott.
Boycs isn’t nicely once more, following the return of throat most cancers. He got here by the primary innings unscathed, however the second can be trickier.
One factor is definite, although — they’ll by no means get him out. Sending a lot love, Geoffrey.
Shoeless Nasser has obtained no sole
My Mail Sport colleague Nasser Hussain was wandering spherical Lord’s barefoot on day one.
Apparently, his new wheels have been doing a Gus Atkinson and nipping a bit. I’d say the sneakers have been firm situation.
Our very personal Shoeless Joe Jackson jogged my memory of coach Justin Langer encouraging his Australia gamers to really feel the grass on the soles of their ft through the 2019 Ashes — and look what occurred to him!
Nasser Hussain was wandering round with none sneakers on at one level on Wednesday
Windies lack Viv’s presence
West Indies’ batsmen regarded decided and resilient, however their set-ups on the crease have been barely mechanical.
Solid your thoughts again to greats like Viv Richards, Desmond Haynes and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
Every had an actual presence within the center, however we solely noticed a glimpse of this on Wednesday when Alzarri Joseph was on the market. Viv was on his ft, clapping in response. You need to discover a technique to rating. Previously, West Indies have been masters of it.
Viv Richards (second proper) was at Lord’s on Wednesday however West Indies missed his presence within the center
Why Gus is like garlic bread
Two years in the past, England bowling hero Gus Atkinson was enjoying for Desert Vipers within the Worldwide League T20 within the United Arab Emirates.
His first outing obtained a stellar commentary group of Ian Bishop, Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Simon Doull asking: Who’s this? As garlic bread was to comic Peter Kay, Atkinson is to this England workforce.
He’s the longer term. Tempo, accuracy, motion. What a deadly mixture.
