England captain Ben Stokes says there is more to Gus Atkinson than just pace after his player-of-the-match display on debut in the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s.
Seamer Atkinson took 5-61 in West Indies’ second innings to end with match figures of 12-106, the best by an England debutant in 134 years.
The tourists were all out for 136 on the third morning as England won by an innings and 114 runs to go 1-0 up in the three-Test series.
“He isn’t just about out-and-out pace, he has the skill as well. His ceiling is so high,” Stokes told BBC Test Match Special.
“We have seen a lot of potential in him going back to the 50-over World Cup. It is very exciting.”
James Anderson, whose long and illustrious Test career came to end after this match, said: “He has been magnificent.
“The thing I love about Gus is that he went to India in the winter, didn’t play a game, worked so hard on his game and to see the fruits of that, I am sure will help him.
“He will be an amazing cricketer for England. He has all of the attributes you need.”