ATKINSON DIET OF WICKETS HITS THE WINDIES

Gus skittles 'em with seven scalps on debut to upstage Jimmy Anderson's farewell Test

- MIKE WALTERS

AFTER the gaslighting of a general election campaign came the Gus-lighting at Lord's.

Gus Atkinson will always treasure the memory of destroying West Indies with 7-45, the second-best figures by an England bowler on Test debut, including a memorable burst of three wickets in four balls.

On the day English cricket rolled out the red carpet for departing legend Jimmy Anderson, new boy Atkinson stole the show.

Never mind Yul Brynner, Charles Bronson, Steve McQueen, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter and the German bloke - this was a magnificent seven for the scrapbook.

Nudging 90mph on the speed gun, bowling wicket-to-wicket and hurrying the batsmen like a terrier chasing the postman, Atkinson hustled out the Windies for just 121.

By the close of the first day, England were sailing over the horizon on 189-3 in reply, already 68 in front, with Zak Crawley's dashing 76 leading the charge. If Atkinson's dreams all came true, the tourists' worst nightmares were up there with Freddy Krueger taking over neighbourhood watch on Elm Street.