England vs West Indies: Chris Woakes positive despite Edgbaston late wickets as Gus Atkinson shines

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England vs West Indies: Chris Woakes positive despite Edgbaston late wickets as Gus Atkinson shines

Despite a late setback, it was a satisfying day with the ball for fast bowler Gus Atkinson as he finished with four wickets.

The 26-year-old narrowly missed out on joining the elite list of players with three five-wicket hauls in his first five Test innings.

Had he achieved the feat he would have been only the fourth England player to do so and the first since World War One.

He has now taken 20 wickets in Test cricket and there are only six players that have taken more than that in their first three Tests. If he takes five wickets in the second innings, he will top the list.

It was a brutal short-pitched ball that accounted for Gudakesh Motie which caught the eye of former England fast bowler Steven Finn.

“That delivery is what I really love about Gus Atkinson – his ability to surprise,” Finn said on BBC Test Match Special.

“I know it’s a lower order player, but the bounce, steepness and skiddiness of that bounce he can get makes him a special prospect.”

Woakes said Surrey’s Atkinson has made Test cricket “look quite easy” given how quickly he has adjusted to to the format and “showcased his skills”.

“Credit to him, he has come in and bowled really well. He came in at Lord’s and did fantastically well, got his rewards there,” added Woakes.

“He’s also done it now on back-to-back flat wickets. Trent Bridge was hard work for the seamers, especially in the beating sun on day two.

“He’s got the ability to swing the ball and a good wobble seam, which is a good change-up for him.

“He’s got some pace behind him so he can use short-ball ploy well. He looks the all-round bowler and thankfully for him he’s started really well in his Test career.”

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