The clouds aligned for James Anderson on the first day of his farewell, but the stars did not. Instead it was Gus Atkinson who milked perfect bowling conditions like a veteran to produce an unforgettable debut and lead the team off to a Lord’s standing ovation.
Only the selectors had a better day than Atkinson, his seven for 45 from 12 overs the second best figures on debut for England and a dream outcome for Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, who tapped Anderson’s shoulder to give younger, quicker bowlers like him a decent run into the Ashes.
Atkinson replayed the scenes of Lord’s 21 years ago when a bowler called Anderson took five in his first game for England. He marked it with an Anderson-like reticence rather than Broadian exuberance. Perhaps one day in the distant future the Lord’s shop will be selling merchandise marking the last Atkinson Test like they are for Anderson this week (commemorative bucket hat, £30 thank you very much). In the here and now, what matters for England is that in Atkinson, Stokes has found a new weapon, which Rob Key outlined in March as this summer’s aim.
West Indies were bowled out for 121, losing five for nought after lunch with Atkinson rocking them with three in four balls at a touch under 90mph, the level above fast medium that England define as the sweet spot. All he left for Anderson was no 11 Jayden Seales, wicket number 701 taken with a world weary shrug.
It was such a one-sided procession that England were in the lead with more than an hour of play left, Zak Crawley playing wonderfully but bowled by a beauty for 76 while Ollie Pope started his summer with a fifty but also did not go on. At 189 for three this feels like a one innings Test for England.
“Oh Jimmy, Jimmy” still rang out, even a seven wicket debutant could not steal the day. It started with everyone in their seats early. Rousing cheers and “come on Jimmy” shouts rang out as he walked through the Long Room to lead England out before abruptly stopping at the pavilion doors while a video montage of his career was played. Chris Woakes and Joe Root exchanged glances knowing what Anderson would make of all the fuss.
It was only when his two daughters rang the morning bell that he choked on emotion. Anderson has enjoyed a great life, seeing the world, earning lots of money but there have been dark times leaving those two daughters behind for long periods of England duty or seeing them off in airport taxis after flying visits on tour. That is the bit the public do not see.
He was intent on making it as normal a day as possible. He started with a coffee run to Starbucks but he could not escape the occasion. An engraved top of the range Ping putter was a leaving gift (very Bazball), his kit makers sent embossed boots to wear, the velcro straps stitched with the date of his debut (left foot) and final match (right). Before play he spoke to Sky alongside Broad saying it felt like “five minutes” since his debut and made a remark all middle aged people can identify with. “It’s incredible how quickly it goes.” Atkinson should listen.
At 10.15 Anderson handed Jamie Smith his cap, his 12th keeper in Test cricket and 112th new team-mate to get to know. His speech harked back to his first keeper, Alec Stewart.
It was a day for Surrey men at Lord’s. An hour after lunch, Atkinson led the team off with Anderson in his wake. Stokes was beaming, judgement justified. The talk of the team is not averages, it is strike rates. Only twice in his last nine Tests has Anderson taken a wicket in his first spell and did not at all in the Ashes last summer. His strike rate since the start of 2023 is a wicket every 80 balls. This time he needed 64, the token wicket of Seales. It took Atkinson just two to land his first and he had five within 54, writing his name on the honours board before he’d probably had time to work out the way to the dining room.
Anderson conceded nine from his first over, the heart rate taking a while to settle. He soon dropped into rhythm conceding just two in his next five overs but apart from the odd ball beating the bat, West Indies negotiated the opening salvo pretty well with Chris Woakes at the other end looking short of bowling.
Atkinson was outstanding to left-handers, angling the ball across with a wobble seam making them play. He started with a right-hander, Kraigg Braithwaite dragging on a wide ball. His second was more regulation considering the pitch conditions, nipping it off the seam as Kirk Mckenzie edged to slip. Stokes bowled his first proper spell of eight overs as a reborn bowling allrounder and celebrated the wicket of Mikyle Louise thanks to Brook taking a stunner at third slip low to his right.
It was after lunch that Atkinson grabbed the game. Running in from the Pavilion End, elbows tucked in, light on his feet for a big guy, he put batsmen on the back foot. In his fourth over of the afternoon, Alick Athanaze edged to first slip, Jason Holder next ball to second. Joshua Da Silva kept out the hat-trick but not the following ball, which flicked the inside edge on its way to Smith.
Atkinson clonked Alzarri Joseph on the head first ball, an over later had him caught off a slower delivery. The bouncer attack continued, Shamar Joseph top edging to backward point as Atkinson had seven. Another wicket would have given him eight and the best figures on Test debut ever, beating Albert Trott in the 19th century. Two fours by no 9 Gudakesh Motie spoiled that and with the last pair at the crease Stokes brought Anderson back in a moment of charity.
Motie cut a wide ball for four, Anderson kicked the turf with his left foot, flicked his forelock out of his eyes with that ‘can you believe it?’ look of an old timer. His next over started with Seales on strike. He survived three in a row but the fourth hit him in front. Anderson waited for the review before wandering off. He had denied Atkinson an eighth but 30,000 people did not care. They had their Anderson wicket to go with the bucket hat.
Same old Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope get starts for England
After West Indies had been rolled over during the cloudy first half of the opening day, Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope made hay with half-centuries in afternoon sun. For one of them it was just another fifty, for the other it was a major act of recuperation.
Pope had feasted on Ireland’s medium-pacers before last summer’s Ashes, gorging himself to the extent of 205. This fifty against West Indies was only his second since then, such has been the famine.
Pope is like an eager developer. He sees a piece of land and decides to throw up a house on it overnight, to present to the authorities a fait accompli. He appears to care little whether what he is building has foundations or not: he will rush it up as fast as he can.
He is 26 now, and England’s vice-captain in Test cricket, but signs that he is calming down are few. The tin roof remains hot; he must put his bat on the ball from the outset; leaving it alone is not a serious option, except perhaps every tenth or twentieth ball, as a variation, rather than on the basis of its merits.
Pope’s 196 in the opening Test last winter was of course as gorgeous as any building erected by the Raj. He set off at his usual giddy pace, and England’s supporters followed giddily in his wake. In only four and a half hours – no longer – Pope rushed up a palace in Hyderabad that was fit to rank with surrounding ones erected by the Moghuls, complete with domes and towers, mosaics and gems, breathtaking in craftsmanship.
Thereafter? A cluster of mud-huts was all Pope could show for the rest of his five-Test series in India.
Whether he could here and now resist the temptation to play a shot at every ball until his nerves had calmed was soon answered: off his first three balls nine runs, off seven balls 14 runs, off 12 balls 18 runs, then a slight throttling down to one run a ball. Most batsmen at the pavilion end at Lord’s fall down the slope, led by their head; Pope seems to fall over himself to score off almost every ball.
Neither Crawley nor Pope scored much in early season for their counties – such loyal citizens might have been too desperate to pay their first employers back – apart from Crawley’s double-hundred at Taunton. Both are 26 years old. There was no Taj Mahal like Pope’s in India but Crawley drove four fifties there. Having been England’s most inconsistent batsman, he has made only one single-figure score since the last Ashes Test at Lord’s. Were he a developer, he would be building a nice little estate of semi-detached homes.
The older Crawley gets, the more he grows into his role, while Pope stalls, halts, hesitates, then hurls himself forward in his desperate desire to succed. As England are building their team for the Ashes, Crawley looks a certain bet to be listening to “Advance Australia Fair” on the first morning in Brisbane next November.
Pope at three? Not quite so certain at present. Truth is he has yet to pin down number three. Shorn of his double-hundred against Ireland he averages 37 there, which is not conclusive.
England’s head coach Brendon McCullum forecast that Crawley would never be consistent because he was not that sort of player but an initiative-seizer, yet he has been taking longer strides than Pope. He was averaging as little as 26 in his wildly inconsistent days but yesterday’s innings – featuring, as usual, most handsome driving even when the bowlers pitched wide – took him up to 33, and his best is surely to come.
England dominate first day at Lord’s: as it happened
07:14 PM BST
Proud moment for the Anderson family
In case you missed it this morning, the Anderson family had the honour of ringing the five-minute bell before the start of play in James’ final Test match.
07:10 PM BST
701 for Anderson
Gus Atkinson has stolen the headlines with seven wickets on debut today but remember it is James Anderson’s last Test match and he did take his 701st Test wicket today. He is now just seven behind Shane Warne but it looks unlikely now that he will be able to reach Warne.
07:07 PM BST
Former England captain Andrew Strauss on Sky
It was very impressive, watching how he dealt with the occasion, and he’s got some X-factor about him.
He looked in control of his emotions but also he was asking a lot of different questions of the opposition. He was noticeably different to the other England bowlers, so a very impressive start all round.
07:05 PM BST
Michael Vaughan on BBC Test Match Special
That’s the perfect day from an England perspective.
West Indies made quite a good start, it was nervy with Jimmy Anderson in his last game, but when they started to lose one or two wickets, you could see the inexperience and the lack of game time required to play in these conditions.
We want West Indies to come to these conditions and compete. They’re not the standard of an England side in these conditions but they’ve just got to have more game time.
07:03 PM BST
Gus Atkinson speaking to Sky
It’s a pretty great day for us to bowl them out for 121 then have a lead of 70 after day one is great.
There were a few nerves this morning. Being in the Long Room was pretty special and the applause for Jimmy was pretty special. There was a bit of nerves, but ball in hand all good.
It was a dream start [to take a second-ball wicket]. Not the ball I was trying to bowl, but I can’t complain! I felt comfortable straight away in the environment.
07:00 PM BST
First day of English Test summer done
We have had to wait until July for the start of the English Test summer but Ben Stokes and his side will be delighted with the way they have begun. A 68-run advantage with seven first wickets remaining is what you call a job well done.
06:54 PM BST
End of day one
Brook is denied a lovely four as his straight drive crashes into the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Holder gets one to tail back into Brook and the yorker nearly prevails. A sigh of relief for Brook, who then responds next ball with a drive through the covers for two. Brook flicks the final for two after a mis-field.
That is the end of day one and that has absolutely been England’s day. What a day it has been for Gus Atkinson, a day he will never forget.
06:51 PM BST
OVER 39: ENG 185/3 (Brook 21 Root 15)
Root rocks onto the back foot as he does so well against spin and punches one into the covers for two.
The clock has ticked round to 6.51 but the umpires believe everyone was in position before it ticked round and we will have one more over.
06:48 PM BST
OVER 38: ENG 183/3 (Brook 21 Root 13)
Jason Holder has switched ends and is now coming on at the Pavilion End. Depending on how long this over takes it could be the penultimate over of the day.
Brook flicks one off his legs for two to deep square-leg. Three from the over and we may only have time for one more over, although it will be spin.
06:44 PM BST
OVER 37: ENG 180/3 (Brook 19 Root 12)
We are going to have spin for the first time on day one as left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie is coming on from the Nursery End. In typical cricket style we have a short delay as a couple of helmets are coming out.
A good stop from Alzarri Joseph at backward point prevents a boundary for Root. He also probably did not fancy the chase so a good job he stopped it! Just one run comes from that over.
06:40 PM BST
OVER 36: ENG 179/3 (Brook 19 Root 11)
Stuart Broad has just been speaking on Sky about his week. He was at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix last Sunday, Wimbledon for the tennis and the Lord’s today. Not a bad week at all! Not at all jealous!
Back on the field Brook picks it up over mid-on but it plugs so he only gets a couple. Off the penultimate ball Brook pulls past Joseph for another couple. Then off the final ball he emphatically flicks through mid-wicket for four.
Up on the balcony captain Stokes has his pads on but surely with 10 minutes left there will be a nightwatchman padded up as well. Presumably it would be Atkinson. I cannot imagine Anderson will have his pads on.
06:35 PM BST
OVER 35: ENG 170/3 (Brook 11 Root 10)
Seales’ spell is over and Jason Holder is brought back into the attack. 20 minutes remain on day one. Root takes a quick single to wide mid-on and is home safely. Brook then waits on a Holder delivery outside off stump and guides it beautifully to wide third-man for four.
06:30 PM BST
OVER 34: ENG 164/3 (Brook 7 Root 9)
Here is your update on Shamar Joseph; he is back on and bowling again! Brook flicks him away for a couple into the leg-side. Brook finishes the over with his first boundary as he sends Joseph to the cover boundary for four.
England’s lead is up to 43 runs.
06:26 PM BST
OVER 33: ENG 158/3 (Brook 1 Root 9)
Having said Shamar Joseph got through the over unscathed, he has now walked off after the conclusion of that over. We will keep you updated with any news on whether that is just cramp or injury.
Root gets a couple with a push into the covers. He then gets a little lucky with an inside edge that makes its way to fine-leg. Brook is off the mark off his fourth ball with a single tucked into the leg-side.
06:22 PM BST
OVER 32: ENG 154/3 (Brook 0 Root 6)
One Joseph comes on for another at the Pavilion End as Shamar re-enters the attack. This is concerning for the visitors as just one ball into the over he is down. It may be cramp though in his groin rather than an injury. A member of the Windies medical staff has come on to give him some treatment and it looks like all is well as he will be able to continue. He is able to get through the rest of the over unscathed.
06:13 PM BST
OVER 31: ENG 153/3 (Brook 0 Root 5)
Two Yorkshiremen at the crease as Harry Brook joins Root in the middle with just under 40 minutes remaining on day one. Brook did not tour India earlier this year due to personal reasons so this is his first Test match of 2024.
06:12 PM BST
Wicket
Crawley b Seales 76 Crawley once again fails to convert a fifty into a century. It is a very good ball to dismiss him though as a Seales yorker gets underneath his bat and crashes into the stumps. FOW 153/3
That is a stunning bit of bowling from Jayden Seales to dismiss Zak Crawley, and a celebration to match. A. moment of magic for the Windies towards the end of a trying day.
06:04 PM BST
OVER 30: ENG 148/2 (Crawley 72 Root 5)
Alzarri Joseph has been expensive today and he concedes four runs, but that was a terrific shot from Crawley who flicks through mid-wicket for four down the hill. After making a number of good starts in India without converting them into big scores, Crawley and England will be hoping he can kick on here and as I type that Crawley is nearly out! He goes for another drive but this time it finds the outside edge. It goes through the vacant third/ fourth slip area and away for four. Crawley then flashes again and it flies past gully for a second streaky four of the over.
England’s lead is now up to 27 runs and time for drinks.
05:58 PM BST
OVER 29: ENG 135/2 (Crawley 60 Root 5)
Root gets his first boundary of the innings with a late cut past backward point for four. If I were the West Indies fielding coach, I would be livid with Motie. He gave up on it pretty early into the chase and by the time he realised he might be able to get to it it was too late.
Off the final ball Root feels for it outside his off stump but fortunately makes no contact with the ball.
05:53 PM BST
OVER 28: ENG 130/2 (Crawley 59 Root 1)
Crawley powerfully dispatches Alzarri Joseph on the up through cover for four. He managed to hit that on the top of the bounce, helped out massively by his height there.
England’s lead is now nine runs.
05:49 PM BST
OVER 27: ENG 125/2 (Crawley 54 Root 1)
Many thanks Rob, great work today. I will be taking you through to the close, which is likely to be at 6.51pm as predictably not all the overs will be bowled. Joe Root strides to the crease, his Test average a tick under 50. In typical Root style he is off the mark quickly with a single off his second ball.
05:47 PM BST
Wicket!
Pope LBW b Holder 57 Pope flicks Holder for four to give England the lead, but then he’s trapped in front by a beautiful yorker! Pope reviews more in hope than expectation that the bat scraped the ball on its way through.
There’s nothing on UltraEdge and he’s on his way for a very busy 57. Jason Holder deserves that wicket. FOW: 123/2
With that, it’s time for me to hand over to Kieran Crichard for the rest of the day. Thanks for your company, goodnight.
05:41 PM BST
OVER 26: ENG 119/1 (Crawley 53 Pope 53)
A change of bowling, and of Joseph, with Alzarri back on in place of Shamar.
Both batsmen reach their half-centuries. Pope squirts to the third man boundary to get there from 70 balls, Crawley pulls his 74th ball for four to join his club.
05:38 PM BST
OVER 25: ENG 108/1 (Crawley 49 Pope 46)
Another challenging over from Holder, who is shaping the ball away enough to make England wary of anything full.
05:35 PM BST
OVER 24: ENG 107/1 (Crawley 49 Pope 45)
Shamar’s line is a bit awry: too straight to Pope, which brings four leg-byes, then too wide to Crawley, who laces him to the cover boundary.
Crawley has been England’s form player in the last 12 months and he’s now one away from a fifty.
05:30 PM BST
OVER 23: ENG 96/1 (Crawley 43 Pope 45)
Holder is the least sexy of this West Indies attack but he’s been the pick today. He has another moment of misfortune when Crawley edges wide of second slip for four; Holder’s figures of 5-0-18-0 are, if not a complete lie, then certainly economical with the truth.
05:26 PM BST
OVER 22: ENG 92/1 (Crawley 39 Pope 45)
A very full delivery from Shamar hits Pope on the pad as he falls over. West Indies go up instinctively for LBW but soon realise it was sliding down. Pope can’t reach a very wide ball that keeps low, then flicks an attempted yorker for two. This is his highest Test score since the 196 at Hyderabad.
05:23 PM BST
OVER 21: ENG 90/1 (Crawley 39 Pope 43)
These are still very good bowling conditions, and for now England are playing watchfully against Shamar and Holder.
05:19 PM BST
OVER 20: ENG 88/1 (Crawley 38 Pope 42)
Shamar Joseph starts after the break with a really good maiden, including a scrambled seamer that rips to hit Pope in the stomach.
Play can continue until 6.51pm.
05:14 PM BST
Play to resume at 5.15pm
Which is in about 90 seconds’ time.
04:58 PM BST
Every cloud…
Off for bad light, which feels a bit hasty. Although those with tickets for day four and five might not mind it too much.
04:55 PM BST
Bad light stops play
The umpires tell the West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite that he needs to bowl spinners if he wants to stay on. He politely declines and the players wander off the field.
04:52 PM BST
OVER 19: ENG 88/1 (Crawley 38 Pope 42)
Crawley is beaten twice by Holder, clatters a square drive for four and then survives a big LBW appeal. Holder pleads with his captain to review, which he eventually does. I think this is out.
Oh no it isn’t: it came back beautifully to hit Crawley in line but it did too much and was also too high.
A terrific over from Holder, who is somehow still wicketless. It’s very gloomy at Lord’s now so don’t be surprised if England are offered the light soon.
04:49 PM BST
Rush it up!
In Turkey, if you construct a house overnight, you can keep the land it is built on. Thus does Ollie Pope build his innings, as rapidly as possible, without too much regard to whether the house has foundations or not. Just rush it up!
04:47 PM BST
OVER 18: ENG 84/1 (Crawley 34 Pope 42)
Pope opens the face to glide another boundary of Shamar, who hasn’t quite settled. He’s still bowling some dangerous deliveries, including a beautiful outswinger that vrooms past Pope’s outside edge.
England trail by 37 runs.
04:43 PM BST
OVER 17: ENG 79/1 (Crawley 33 Pope 38)
It might take Shamar Joseph a while to work out English conditions. Some great fast bowlers have found it tough on their first tour.
Holder has been here a few times and is bowling nicely from wide on the crease, shaping the ball away. But when he errs slightly in length, Pope spanks a cut for four.
West Indies think they’ve got Pope caught behind pushing at one of those full outswingers. It’s given not out and they conclude that Pope’s bat scraped the ground. Technology confirms they were right.
04:39 PM BST
OVER 16: ENG 75/1 (Crawley 33 Pope 34)
Crawley, who has such a good record against high pace, drives Shamar sweetly for three. Pope has started mistiming a few and snaps his head back in frustration when a mistimed cut almost goes back onto the stumps. At times Pope is too harsh on himself, in a manner that reminds me a little of Mark Ramprakash.
04:36 PM BST
OVER 15: ENG 71/1 (Crawley 30 Pope 33)
The floodlights are back on, good news for West Indies’ bowlers. Kraigg Brathwaite makes a double bowling change, introducing Jason Holder at the Nursery End, and Pope defends a couple of the balls before driving wristily to the left of mid-on for four. What a beautiful shot.
Pope then whips around a full delivery, bowled from wide on the crease, and is given out LBW. Pope hangs his head but Crawley encourages him to review – and replays show it was missing leg stump!
04:30 PM BST
OVER 14: ENG 67/1 (Crawley 30 Pope 29)
This is Shamar’s third Test and only his eighth first-class match. He has an immediate impact, skidding his first ball past Pope’s inside edge and then tempting him into a risky drive that flashes wide of third slip at catchable height.
Life is never dull when Shamar Joseph has the ball. An eventful first over ends with Crawley playing a beautiful back-foot drive for four. England are racing along at nearly five an over.
04:25 PM BST
Public service announcement
Right, stop what you’re doing and pay attention for the next 20 minutes: Shamar Joseph, the ball of charisma who routed Australia in January, is coming on to bowl.
04:24 PM BST
OVER 13: ENG 58/1 (Crawley 26 Pope 24)
Another short ball from Alzarri is pulled smoothly round the corner for four by Pope, who is then hit in the breadbasket by an affronted reply. Turns out it was a no-ball, though that’s no consolation to Pope’s abdomen. He has 24 from 18 balls, Crawley 26 from 49.
Crawley has been slightly stuck either side of tea, with only two ruins from his last 19 balls.
04:20 PM BST
Pope and the F-word
Another high octane start by Ollie Pope but there is no scoreboard pressure so he can play almost as he wishes. It would look much more frenetic if England were 20-1 against Australia and 2-0 down. And it would be nice if, for once, he played himself in calmly after an unproductive red-ball season – and an unproductive stretch since his masterpiece 196 in the first Test against India.
04:19 PM BST
OVER 12: ENG 52/1 (Crawley 26 Pope 19)
Pope clips Seales for a single to bring up England’s fifty. Whatever happens in his Test career – and he still needs runs – you have to admire his relentless positivity.
Crawley punches stylishly for two, misses another attempted pull and almost offer a return catch with a leading edge that drops short.
04:14 PM BST
OVER 11: ENG 49/1 (Crawley 25 Pope 18)
Nope, it’s Alzarri Joseph to continue for the time being, and he beats Crawley with a cracking delivery outside off. This is a decent score for England because batting remains far from easy, even with the sun creeping through the clouds.
A maiden from Alzarri ends with Crawley missing an attempted pull. The pitch looks a bit two-paced when the bowlers bang it in.
04:11 PM BST
OVER 10: ENG 49/1 (Crawley 25 Pope 18)
Pope carries on merrily, swivel-pulling Seales for four with authority. It might be time for Shamar Joseph.
04:06 PM BST
OVER 9: ENG 43/1 (Crawley 24 Pope 14)
Alzarri Joseph starts the evening session with a benevolent long hop to Pope, who puts it away past backward point for four. That gets Pope going and he drives two handsome boundaries through mid-off and extra cover.
Pope gets lucky when a top-edged pull lands well short of long leg. Pope has made his usual eventful start, 14 from 7 balls.
03:57 PM BST
Pope in need of a score
This feels like a big innings for Ollie Pope. He has a good record at No 3, but since his 196 in Hyderabad – truly one of the great England innings – he has been very quiet, even for Surrey, for whom he normally churns runs for fun. He’s the shakiest member of the top six currently, so a score would be welcome.
03:51 PM BST
Tea-time verdict
Ben Duckett batted like a man with one innings to his name since April when he became the first England wicket to fall on an otherwise blemish free day for the side.
Duckett was caught behind driving for three having been dropped on one as England replied to West Indies’ 121 all out.
But the batting will be secondary to the bowling after Gus Atkinson’s dramatic debut launched the Test summer. Set against Wimbledon and the Euros, cricket needed something special at Lord’s and it was delivered by the young Surrey quick Atkinson who muscled Jimmy Anderson out of the way to steal centre-stage.
Atkinson’s seven for 45 are the second best figures on debut for England. His triple-wicket maiden after lunch, which included three in four balls, was the first for England for 13 years as his pace, bounce and sideways movement was too much for batsmen groping on an English bowling day.
Anderson had a last-man consolation, dismissing Jayden Seales leg before for two, but it was Atkinson who sheepishly led the team off, modestly holding up the match ball and looking down at the ground as if overwhelmed by the fuss. It was just like watching a young Jimmy Anderson doing the same here 21 years ago on his own debut.
03:42 PM BST
Tea
England trail by 91 runs after a dramatic session in which eight wickets fell in 21.4 overs. Five of them were taken by Gus Atkinson, who ended an unimaginably good first innings in Test cricket with figures of 7/45.
03:42 PM BST
OVER 8: ENG 30/1 (Crawley 24 Pope 1)
This is an important innings for Ollie Pope, who has struggled for county and country since that remarkable 196 in Hyderbad.
A good over from Seales ends with an LBW appeal against Crawley that is turned down. Too high.
That’s tea.
03:37 PM BST
Wicket!
Duckett c Da Silva b Seales 3 Ben Duckett falls cheaply. It was good bowling from Seales, full and wide enough to tempt Duckett into a fast-handed drive that he could only snick through to Da Silva. Duckett had been starved of the strike, facing only 13 of 44 deliveries; that may have played a part in his dismissal. FOW: 29/1
03:36 PM BST
OVER 7: ENG 29/0 (Crawley 24 Duckett 3)
Crawley makes Joseph bowl to him and clips crisply through midwicket for four. Mr Consistent is into the twenties again, though he groans with frustration after missing a wild drive later in the over.
03:30 PM BST
OVER 6: ENG 23/0 (Crawley 18 Duckett 4)
West Indies are bowling well to Duckett, cramping him for room. Duckett forces a single into the off side before Crawley, flicking to leg, gets a leading edge that lands safely. There have been a lot of mistimed attacking strokes today.
03:26 PM BST
OVER 5: ENG 21/0 (Crawley 17 Duckett 3)
Dropped him! Duckett slashes Alzarri to backward point, when the debutant Louis puts down a relatively straightforward chance. If you include the run-out opportunity in the first over, both openers have had a life.
Crawley almost offers another chance when a mistimed pull clears mid-on and runs away for four.
03:19 PM BST
OVER 4: ENG 11/0 (Crawley 10 Duckett 1)
The first boundary of the innings is a thick edge for four from Crawley. It was safe enough but well bowled by Seales.
There’s no argument with the next ball, which Crawley larrups to the cover boundary. As Nasser says on Sky, that was very similar to the first ball of last summer’s Ashes, albeit minus the primeval roar.
03:16 PM BST
OVER 3: ENG 3/0 (Crawley 2 Duckett 1)
Duckett tries to cut Alzarri and comes very close to dragging the ball onto his stumps. West Indies have made an excellent start with the ball, both disciplined and intense.
03:12 PM BST
OVER 2: ENG 1/0 (Crawley 1 Duckett 0)
Jayden Seales shares the new ball and settles into a nice, attacking length. Crawley, who has been in very poor form this summer bar one mighty 238 against Somerset, punches a few drives without piercing the field. A maiden.
03:09 PM BST
Atkinson’s dream debut: wicket by wicket
His second ball was not quite as good, a little wide. But as Kraigg Brathwaite moved to cut the ball, he was suckered by Lord’s low bounce, and inside-edged the ball onto his stumps. A contented smile revealed that Atkinson had reduced the gap with Anderson’s Test wicket tally to a mere 699.
Read more…
03:07 PM BST
OVER 1: ENG 1/0 (Crawley 1 Duckett 0)
A run-out chance off the third ball of the innings. Crawley edges a sharp yorker from Alzarri Joseph along the ground to gully, where the ball is half stopped. Duckett calls for a run, then changes his mind, and Crawley is barely in the frame when Hodge’s throw misses the stumps.
That’s a cracking first over from Alzarri, with a bit of swing and everything in excess of 89mph.
03:05 PM BST
The players are back on the field
The West Indies’ pace attack against England’s pace batters? This could be loads of fun.
03:02 PM BST
The verdict from Lord’s
“Oh Jimmy, Jimmy” rang out at Lord’s after he knocked over no 11 Jayden Seales but the day belonged to Gus Atkinson. His 7-45 are the second best figures on debut for England and he rather shyly led the team off the field, looking down at the ground as if embarrassed by the fuss, once briefly holding the ball up to the crowd before acidently dropping it on the ground. West Indies fell over in a heap but England needed this. They fielded superbly, Stokes’s bowling changes worked and the debutant could not have bowled better.
02:55 PM BST
And the really good thing is…
Ben Stokes brought Jimmy Anderson back in search of the 10th wicket of this innings and 701st of his Test career, and they get their reward. England a little sluggish at first, but pretty much perfect thereafter: they caught brilliantly, and Gus Atkinson was electric. They didn’t even waste any reviews!
02:54 PM BST
West Indies 121 all out
Gus Atkinson leads England off after an extraordinary debut: 12-5-45-7. That includes a wicket with his second ball, three in four balls after lunch and then two in three.
West Indies lost their last seven wickets for 33.
02:53 PM BST
Wicket!
Seales LBW b Anderson 0 Jimmy Anderson gets his 701st Test wicket. The left-handed Seales plays around a perfect inswinger and is hit on the back pad. He reviews, but he knows. FOW: 121 all out.
02:50 PM BST
OVER 41: WI 121/9 (Motie 14 Seales 2)
Motie thrashes Atkinson through the covers for four. Atkinson pushes him back with a bouncer, then beats him twice with fuller balls.
Motie has the last word, at least for this over, with a zesty slap to the cover boundary. That means Atkinson can no longer take the best figures on Test debut overall, though he’s still in with a shout for England.
02:45 PM BST
OVER 40: WI 113/9 (Motie 6 Seales 2)
Anderson, back on for Woakes, is squirted for four by Motie. A quick single off the last ball means he’ll keep the strike – and Atkinson will have the chance to make history.
02:43 PM BST
Mixed emotions
One great day for England’s Test cricket because of the debut by Gus Atkinson but one terrible day for Test cricket. Because it has been men against boys, given all the disparities between England’s resources and those of West Indies. But bear in mind that West Indies still usually beat England at home…
02:42 PM BST
OVER 39: WI 107/9 (Motie 1 Seales 1)
It’s worth repeating that another quick wicket will give Atkinson the best figures on Test debut for any country. He can’t get it with the last three balls of the over, but Woakes permitting he’ll be back.
Gus Atkinson: 11-5-37-7. Jimmy Anderson has played for 21 years without managing such figures.
“A seven-wicket haul on your first day as a Test cricketer?” writes Will Macpherson. “Ridiculous.”
02:38 PM BST
Another debut five-for for England
Atkinson is the fifth bowler to take five wickets on debut under Ben Stokes. He just has this knack of making players feel relaxed and instantly part of the team. He takes away the worry and Atkinson looks like he’s been around for years.
02:37 PM BST
Wicket!
S Joseph c Pope b Atkinson 0 This is bonkers. Shamar Joseph goes second ball for nought. He tried to pull, slipped and inadvertently launched the ball high towards backward point. Ollie Pope took a much more comfortable catch. FOW: 106/9
If someone had said that A****son would take 7-for at this Test in the first innings, not sure we’d have gone for Gus…#bbccricket
— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) July 10, 2024
02:35 PM BST
Wicket!
A Joseph c Woakes b Atkinson 17 A sixth wicket for Gus Atkinson, who smiles sheepishly at the absurdity of it all. Alzarri Joseph tries another lofted drive and launches it miles in the air; Chris Woakes takes a comfortable catch.
Atkinson has 6/36 and could still pick up the best figures on debut – for any country, not just England. The best is Albert Trott’s 8/43. FOW: 106/8
02:33 PM BST
OVER 38: WI 106/7 (A Joseph 17 Motie 1)
Motie, who looks content to play a supporting role to Alzarri Joseph, taps Woakes into the leg side to get off the mark.
02:27 PM BST
OVER 37: WI 104/7 (A Joseph 16 Motie 0)
The best figures for England on Test debut are Dominic Cork’s 7/43 against West Indies on this ground in 1995, and I can’t quite believe that’s already up for discussion. Alzarri Joseph dents Atkinson’s figures with three boundaries in a row: two wristy clips and a thumping, elegant straight drive.
Make that four fours in the over after a cracking drive over extra cover. That’s some response to being clattered on the grille first ball.
02:25 PM BST
OVER 36: WI 88/7 (A Joseph 0 Motie 0)
And, while still standing outside the media centre, one could hear how perfectly middled Kavem Hodge’s shot was. Stunning catch by Ollie Pope at silly point or at least short point.
02:23 PM BST
Watch: Atkinson takes three wickets in four balls
A five-wicket haul on Test match debut for Gus Atkinson 👏
Alick Athanaze, Jason Holder and Joshua Da Silva fall in the space of FOUR balls 🤯 pic.twitter.com/PGGICbTgmS
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 10, 2024
02:21 PM BST
Wicket!
Hodge c Pope b Woakes 24 Ollie Pope takes a stunning catch and West Indies have lost four wickets for no runs! Hodge savaged a wide ball from Woakes that looked four all the way, but Pope swooped to his left at short point to take a gasp-inducing catch. Hodge sinks to his knees in disbelief before dragging himself from the field. That’s Woakes’s 150th Test wicket. FOW: 88/7
02:18 PM BST
OVER 35: WI 88/6 (Hodge 24 A Joseph 0)
My days, Atkinson completes a triple-wicket maiden with a nasty short ball that rams Alzarri Joseph in the grille. He’ll need to be checked.
That gives the England players the chance to congratulate Atkinson, who has fantasy figures of 9-5-20-5.
02:17 PM BST
So, what are your plans for Sunday?
Standing outside the media centre, so I could hear the reaction of the crowd, the cheers for Gus Atkinson are fulsome… but slightly muted. Everyone is very pleased for him, but not so much on the part of those spectators who have tickets for days 3, 4 or 5.
02:15 PM BST
Wicket!
Da Silva c Smith b Atkinson 0 Josh Da Silva defends a pretty good hat-trick ball. But Atkinson is hunting a debut five-for at Lord’s, just like Jimmy Anderson 21 years ago.
And he’s got it! Three in four balls and a five-for on debut! Da Silva inside-edged a cracking delivery down the leg side, where Smith plunged to his left to take a fine low catch. Wow. FOW: 88/6
02:12 PM BST
Wicket!
Holder c Brook b Atkinson 0 Gus Atkinson is on a debut hat-trick! Jason Holder has gone first ball, caught by Harry Brook. Holder was turned round and got a leading edge that was taken very nicely by Brook at third slip. FOW: 88/5
02:10 PM BST
Wicket!
Athanaze c Root b Atkinson 23 Beautifully done! Athanaze edges Atkinson to the right of first slip, where Root takes a superb low catch. It was a good ball from Atkinson, just back of length and angled across. Athanaze pushed at it and paid the price. FOW: 88/4
02:09 PM BST
OVER 34: WI 88/3 (Athanaze 23 Hodge 24)
A maiden from Woakes.
02:04 PM BST
OVER 33: WI 88/3 (Athanaze 23 Hodge 24)
Athanaze drives Atkinson classily through extra cover for four. This is only his fifth Test, and he has yet to make a fifty, but he looks a fine player – controlled as well as gifted. His shot selection so far has been exemplary. He and Hodge make a nice middle-order pair, a right-hander scrapper and a left-handed stylist.
01:59 PM BST
OVER 32: WI 82/3 (Athanaze 18 Hodge 23)
Woakes goes round the wicket to Athanaze and sends down a hooping inswinger. Athanaze drives it crisply whence it came and Woakes makes a good stop in his follow through.
One from the over, squirted nicely through point. Hodge was also beaten by the latest jaffa from the luckless Woakes.
01:56 PM BST
OVER 31: WI 81/3 (Athanaze 17 Hodge 23)
Hodge takes on Atkinson again, top-edging a pull straight over the keeper’s head for six! West Indies have definitely changed their approach; having scored 45 runs in the last 26 overs this morning, they’ve belted 20 off the first three since lunch.
01:51 PM BST
OVER 30: WI 73/3 (Athanaze 16 Hodge 16)
A double change after lunch, with Woakes also back into the attack. If all goes to plan for England, Shoaib Bashir will be a specialist fielder today.
West Indies have come out with much greater attacking intent. Athanaze plays successive off-drives for four, the first of which was a beautifully timed push. He looks a player.
01:46 PM BST
OVER 29: WI 65/3 (Athanaze 8 Hodge 16)
The first ball after lunch is pulled brusquely for four by Hodge. Have some of that Gustopher!
Atkinson takes his medicine, adjusts his length and bowls five pretty good dot balls.
01:43 PM BST
Gus Atkinson is back after lunch
01:18 PM BST
Lunch-time verdict from Lord’s
Move over James Anderson, enter Gus Atkinson. Two wickets in his first five-over spell in Test cricket perfectly exemplified why England are building for the future.
Atkinson’s first two balls were timed at 88 and 89mph, immediately injecting the pace needed at Test level and providing the “weapons” for Ben Stokes that director of cricket Rob Key identified as crucial in an interview with Telegraph Sport in March.
After a wicketless opening spell for Anderson and Chris Woakes, Atkinson induced the drag on from Kraigg Braithwaite with his second ball and removed Kirk McKenzie with a more regulation delivery given the conditions – pitched up, outside edge to slip.
England were right on the money almost a year since their last home Test match. They fielded superbly, and used the conditions well. Harry Brook’s hard work on his athleticism paid off with a stunning one diving slip catch off Ben Stokes, who was back as frontline seamer for the first time in a couple of years. It was the kind of catch that Stokes himself would snaffle.
West Indies batting is full of promise, thin on experience and these were tough conditions on a day heavy with meaning for England. After 19 off the opening two overs (nine in Anderson’s first), West Indies eked out 42 off the next 26 with scoring opportunities very limited. No wickets for Anderson but at just 2.2 an over he fashioned chances for others.
01:16 PM BST
Stokes’ encouraging return
A very encouraging return to bowling for Ben Stokes. No no-balls, and eight overs on the spin. He looks in great rhythm and picked up his 199th Test wicket thanks to that wonder catch from Harry Brook at third slip. Stokes himself would have been pleased with that catch.
01:04 PM BST
OVER 28: WI 61/3 (Athanaze 8 Hodge 12)
Stokes goes round the wicket to test Athanaze with the short ball. He ignores that, then shapes to play an outswinger that doesn’t miss off stump by much. I think he left it in the end.
That’s the end of a good morning for England and particularly the debutant Gus Atkinson, who struck with his second ball in Test cricket and looked menacing throughout a spell of 5-4-2-2.
01:00 PM BST
OVER 27: WI 61/3 (Athanaze 8 Hodge 12)
Athanaze, who has looked the most comfortable of the West Indies batters this morning, works Anderson off the hip for another single. That gives Hodge to slap a rare bad ball from Anderson through backward point for four.
No sign of Jimmy getting grumpy yet, but it won’t be long if he doesn’t take a wicket. Looks like there will be time for one more over before lunch.
12:55 PM BST
OVER 26: WI 56/3 (Athanaze 7 Hodge 8)
Athanaze punches through the covers for three, the only runs from a slightly weary Stokes over. One more to go before lunch.
12:53 PM BST
OVER 25: WI 53/3 (Athanaze 4 Hodge 8)
A terrific inswinger from Anderson to Hodge is inside-edged past leg stump for a couple, with Shoaib Bashir scrambling to save the boundary.
There’s almost a run-out chance when Hodge is sent back, but he has time to make his ground and the throw is off target anyway. “Always a chance of a run-out at Lord’s…” says Nasser Hussain to his co-commentator Andrew Strauss, who was barbecued by Nasser on his debut 20 years ago.
No wickets yet but Anderson has been typically thrifty: he has figures of 8-3-15-0, and nine of those came off the first over.
12:47 PM BST
OVER 24: WI 50/3 (Athanaze 3 Hodge 6)
Kavem Hodge is 31 years old, a late bloomer who made vital runs in that victory over Australia at the Gabba. This is only his third Test but he looks like he knows his game well; after defending solidly, he punishes a wide half-volley from Stokes with a blazing drive over backward point for four.
12:44 PM BST
OVER 23: WI 46/3 (Athanaze 3 Hodge 2)
A quiet over from Anderson.
12:42 PM BST
The harder I practise…
Absolutely stunning catch from Harry Brook at third slip. He’s worked a lot on his fielding and athleticism in recent months; that’s his reward.
12:41 PM BST
Atkinson looking the part
This might be tough to read, but that spell from Gus Atkinson explains why England are retiring James Anderson. England think they have an exciting crop of young bowlers, but don’t want to go into next year’s massive series against India and Australia and be dishing out debuts to them because Anderson has played a few more Tests. Atkinson looks the part – without a Stokes misfield he’d have had five maidens on the spin.
12:39 PM BST
OVER 22: WI 45/3 (Athanaze 3 Hodge 1)
That Brook catch, though not quite in the same class, was reminiscent of Stokes’s to get rid of Adam Voges at Trent Bridge in 2015. Stokes the bowler even did his own version of the Broadface, wide-eyed in joy and disbelief as he ran towards Brook.
England have smothered West Indies, with the last 20 overs bringing 29 runs and three wickets.
12:36 PM BST
Wicket!
Louis c Brook b Stokes 27 Harry Brook has taken a blinder at third slip! Louis thick-edged the ball to the right of Brook, who showed sensational reactions to get down, grab the ball and stop it brushing the ground. That really is an outrageous catch, the kind Stokes usually takes. The debutant Louis goes after an impressive clear-headed innings of 27 from 58 balls. FOW: 44/3
12:34 PM BST
OVER 21: WI 44/2 (Louis 27 Athanaze 3)
Anderson replaces Atkinson, who bowled a Boy’s Own spell of 5-4-2-2. He starts with a maiden, including a textbook outswinger that beats Athanaze. There’s one loose delivery down the leg side that is handled well by Smith; he’s had a good mo
12:31 PM BST
West Indies’ soft centre
The tourists’ number three batsman Kirk McKenzie has scored one first-class century – yes, one, a double-hundred but still only one – while their number four batsman Alick Athanaze has scored two first-class hundreds. At number six comes their allrounder Jason Holder, batting much higher than he has been for Worcestershire. Some contrast between the middle orders of the two sides. Is this series being played on a level field?
12:29 PM BST
OVER 20: WI 44/2 (Louis 27 Athanaze 3)
Stokes is working Louis over here. An inside edge flashes past leg stump for four, then the next ball growls off the seam to beat the outside edge. A masterful over from Stokes ends with a big inswinger that beats Louis’ attempted drive and an outswinger that goes past his defensive push. Beautiful bowling.
12:25 PM BST
OVER 19: WI 40/2 (Louis 23 Athanaze 3)
Atkinson’s yorker is dealt with confidently by Athanaze. These two look like good players and should get plenty of runs in more favourable conditions.
That’s four maidens for Atkinson in five overs; in fact the only runs he conceded came from a misfield.
12:22 PM BST
OVER 18: WI 40/2 (Louis 23 Athanaze 3)
Crawley appeals alone for caught behind when Louis chases a tempting Stokes outswinger. “There’s only so much patience you can have as a batter…” says Kumar Sangakkara on commentary.
Louis is showing plenty and that’s another maiden, the sixth of the morning.
12:19 PM BST
OVER 17: WI 40/2 (Louis 23 Athanaze 3)
A misfield from Stokes at point gives Athanaze a couple, the first runs Atkinson has conceded. The next two deliveries, both immaculate in line and length, zip past the outside edge. Conditions are helpful but this is a cracking first spell in Test cricket.
12:14 PM BST
OVER 16: WI 38/2 (Louis 23 Athanaze 1)
As everyone has said, the return of Stokes the bowler is a game-changer for England. He’s breezing in, no discomfort at all, and has found a good line to the right-hander. Louis is defending well but he has got a bit stuck, with only one run off his last 16 balls.
The left-handed Athanaze shovels an inswinger to leg to get off the mark.
12:10 PM BST
OVER 15: WI 36/2 (Louis 23 Athanaze 0)
There’s rain in the air so the players might not be on for long. These are seriously tough batting conditions; the new man is the left-hander Alick Athanaze, a player given a rave review by Brian Lara.
Atkinson’s pace is excellent, in the high eighties, and Athanaze edges his first ball short of slip.
Terrific stuff from Atkinson. Not many players from any country can have started their Test career with figures of 3-3-0-2.
12:07 PM BST
Wicket!
McKenzie c Crawley b Atkinson 1 Welcome to Test cricket. Gus Atkinson has his second wicket – and he still hasn’t conceded a run! The left-handed McKenzie drove at a full delivery, beautiful line, and edged it straight to Crawley at second slip. FOW: 36/2
12:02 PM BST
OVER 14: WI 36/1 (Louis 23 McKenzie 1)
Stokes replaces Woakes, whose first spell yielded 6-0-18-0. Stokes can make the ball hoop in moody conditions, as he did when he flattened West Indies with 6/22 on this ground in 2017.
There is a bit of movement to McKenzie, who plays tip and run to get off the mark from his 12th delivery.
England continue to build pressure, with only 20 runs from the last 14 overs. Time for drinks.
11:59 AM BST
OVER 13: WI 35/1 (Louis 23 McKenzie 0)
A sharp second over from Atkinson, another maiden, is defended well by Louis. He’s been very impressive.
Now it’s time to have a look at emerging allrounder Ben Stokes.
11:57 AM BST
A poignant day for Atkinson
Gus Atkinson spent five Tests in India doing little more than net bowling. Reports coming back from inside the camp described a very shy and quiet individual. A bit like a young Jimmy you could say. Nice touch to have Ollie Pope, rather than Anderson, present him with his cap. It would have been too much pressure, almost like anointing a successor, had Anderson done it.
Atkinson lost his mother in a car crash in 2020, and naturally has been deeply affected by his loss. His father was in the huddle for the cap presentation which for the Atkinsons would have been as poignant and emotional as the Jimmy farewell montage was for the Andersons.
11:56 AM BST
OVER 12: WI 35/1 (Louis 23 McKenzie 0)
Woakes is bowling really well now, getting movement in the air and off the pitch.
11:50 AM BST
Review! Louis not out 22
Mikyle Louis reviews successfully after being out caught behind off Woakes. It was a cracking delivery that squared Louis up and seemed to brush the outside edge, but there was nothing on UltraEdge. There was a noise, possibly bat on pad.
11:50 AM BST
OVER 11: WI 34/1 (Louis 22 McKenzie 0)
Atkinson tries a yorker to the new batter Kirk McKenzie, who digs it out well. Atkinson starts his Test career with a wicket maiden.
11:46 AM BST
Wicket!
Brathwaite b Atkinson 6 Gus Atkinson strikes with his second ball in Test cricket! It wasn’t the best delivery, not that he will or should care. Brathwaite threw his hands at a wide, fullish delivery – he won’t be doing that again – and dragged it back onto the stumps. FOW: 34/1
11:45 AM BST
Time for Gus Atkinson
West Indies will be very happy with the start. England a bit too short, and Chris Woakes not as consistent as normal in his line. James Anderson’s first spell is done; now lets see how quick Gus Atkinson is.
11:44 AM BST
OVER 10: WI 34/0 (Brathwaite 6 Louis 22)
The lights are on at Lord’s, which makes batting even trickier. Woakes beats Louis with an absolute jaffa; Louis responds by flicking the next ball imperiously over square leg for six! Heckuva shot, that. And a pretty good response from Woakes, who beats the bat again with a beautiful delivery. Batting looks very tricky out there.
11:42 AM BST
Don’t forget the bouncer
Mikyle Louis can play a regal front drive but why has he not been tested by real bouncers, even on a slow pitch? He was bounced out at Beckenham by Sonny Baker. Will have to wait until Gus Atkinson and some real pace?
11:41 AM BST
England hitting their straps
Anderson and Woakes were not quite on it first thing, but these last couple of overs have been much better. Not much for the Windies’ openers to feed off at all.
11:40 AM BST
OVER 9: WI 28/0 (Brathwaite 6 Louis 16)
Louis is beaten by successive deliveries from Anderson. He’s doing everything right, playing late and with soft hands, but the odd play-and-miss is an occupational hazard. There’s a strangled shout for LBW when Louis inside-edges an inducker onto the pad, and finally an inside-edge flies past leg stump for a single. A fine over from Anderson, who has conceded only two runs off his last four overs.
11:35 AM BST
OVER 8: WI 27/0 (Brathwaite 6 Louis 15)
Stuart Broad, in his new role as Sky commentator, says Chris Woakes has bowled slightly short. When he does go a bit fuller, Brathwaite is turned round by a jaffa that snaps past the outside edge.
11:31 AM BST
OVER 7: WI 24/0 (Brathwaite 4 Louis 14)
A surprise bumper from Anderson is pulled for a single by Louis, who is going along a decent rate. He has 14 from 16 balls, Brathwaite – who aims to be out there for a long time, not a good time – has 4 from 26. He offered no stroke to a lovely inswinger from Anderson that didn’t miss off stump by much.
11:27 AM BST
OVER 6: WI 22/0 (Brathwaite 4 Louis 13)
For a 23-year-old making his Test debut at Lord’s after only seven first-class games, Mikyle Louis has looked very calm. When he waves absent-mindedly outside off stump and is beaten by Woakes, he gets immaculately in line to defend the next ball. No sign that the beans are going, as Nasser would say. And when Woakes’ last ball comes out all wrong, Louis clatters it safely over backward point for four.
11:22 AM BST
OVER 5: WI 18/0 (Brathwaite 4 Louis 9)
Brathwaite is beaten by successive deliveries from Anderson, who is into his work and has now bowled back-to-back maidens. (The only run in that over was a leg-bye.)
11:18 AM BST
OVER 4: WI 17/0 (Brathwaite 4 Louis 9)
England go up for LBW when Louis pushes around a straight one from Woakes. It’s given not out and Ben Stokes decides not to risk a review. It was probably going down and it might have been high; yep, replays confirm it was missing on line and length.
Woakes is averaging 220 in first-class cricket this summer so he’d like an early wicket or two. He almost gets it with a gorgeous delivery that straightens sharply to beat Brathwaite and then swings sharply after passing the bat. Smith dealt with it well – and the next ball too, which was speared down the leg side.
11:14 AM BST
OVER 3: WI 16/0 (Brathwaite 4 Louis 8)
An excellent second over from Anderson – a Spandex-tight line and with a bit of movement back into Brathwaite, who has to play at every delivery. It’s a maiden.
Anderson’s pace is good, between around 83–85 mph.
11:10 AM BST
OVER 2: WI 16/0 (Brathwaite 4 Louis 8)
Chris Woakes shares the new ball. He’s had a difficult summer, with the death of his father followed by some wicketless performances in the County Championship, but his record at Lord’s is outstanding.
Woakes’ first ball is too straight and clipped for two by Brathwaite. The ball is swinging, albeit fairly gently, and Brathwaite – one of the last practitioners of the art of batting time – is leaving wherever possible. Woakes overcompensates and the ball runs away for four leg-byes. The pitch looks really slow.
11:06 AM BST
Tall tales
Mikyle Louis must be the tallest Test opener since… Zak Crawley?! A couple of big boys at the top of the order in this game (and, in Ben Duckett, one very little one). He’s made a decent start.
Mikyle Louis playing his 8th first class game. Jimmy Anderson his 298th.
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) July 10, 2024
11:05 AM BST
OVER 1: WI 9/0 (Brathwaite 1 Louis 8)
Anderson starts with four slips for Brathwaite, who pushes the first ball into the off side for a single. That brings the debutant Mikyle Louis on strike: this is only his eighth first-class match but he’s already scored three hundreds.
Louis defends a couple of outswingers very solidly, then gets a thick edge for four to get off the mark. He played it pretty well, softening his hands to ensure the edge went straight down.
He plays the next ball even better, timing a sweet push-drive past mid-off for four. An expensive first over from Anderson, though there was nothing wrong with it.
11:01 AM BST
Here we go!
The first over will be bowled by Shoaib Bashir Jimmy Anderson.
11:00 AM BST
A compelling rivalry
For all their vastly differing resources off the pitch, in the last decade, this has been one of Test cricket’s most compelling – and even – rivalries. Since 2015, England have won two series against West Indies – both 2-1, at home – lost two in the Caribbean and drew one. Overall score: 6 wins apiece. This is one of the best attacks West Indies have fielded in that time, though there are plenty of questions about the batting.
10:56 AM BST
Here come the players
After that lovely video, Jimmy Anderson leads England onto the field with a slightly shy smile. It looks like he’s fighting pretty hard to hold back the tears. And it’s about to get even harder, because his children have been invited to ring the bell to signal the start of play. I’ve never seen anything quite like this, certainly not on the first morning of a Test. I think the fact Anderson wants to play on has enhanced what was already going to be a hugely emotional occasion.
10:54 AM BST
I’m not crying, it’s been raining on my face
Jimmy Anderson looking very serious – stern face, crossed arms – as he waits to lead England out. It looks like the teams have misjudged the moment that they were coming out. This is an unusual start to a Test – he’s currently watching a montage about himself! Will test his stiff upper lip.
How is Jimmy holding it together there 🏴 🐐😥
— Steven Finn (@finnysteve) July 10, 2024
10:49 AM BST
Jamie Smith talks to Sky Sports
It’s an incredible honour and a proud day for my family, friends and people who have helped me get to this point. Few nerves kicking about but I slept pretty well and I’m looking forward to today and the rest of the summer.
My confidence is high as it’s ever been – getting some runs last week after being selected has helped that. I’ll always look to be fearless and take bowlers on, and that fits in quite nicely.
In the last couple of years I’ve worked [on my keeping] with Ben Foakes and Alec Stewart at Surrey. Ben’s been really good to me, offering a lot of tips and tricks for the bowlers here. We sit together in the changing-room and bat 4 and 5 so we’re quite close. He’s been great.
10:45 AM BST
Sir Geoffrey on England’s need for victory
If you are an England cricket supporter there has not been much to get excited about. On top of that, watching our football team play in the Euros has frustrated you or sent you to sleep. So come on England, lift our spirits, beat the West Indies this week at Lord’s and give us something to cheer about.
Read more…
10:37 AM BST
Jimmy and the 12 keepers
Since Jimmy handed Jamie Smith his cap, Nick and I have been having a natter about the many different Test keepers Anderson has played with. We make it 12. Alec Stewart was first, then Geraint Jones, Chris Read, Matt Prior, Tim Ambrose, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Ben Foakes, Ollie Pope, James Bracey, Sam Billings, and now Smith.
Yep, that’s right. Now if you can just name the 13 white-ball keepers…
10:34 AM BST
Team news
West Indies also have a debutant. The exciting young opener Mikyle Louie becomes the first man from St Kitts to play Test cricket for the West Indies. The only slight surprise is that Gudakesh Motie is preferred to Kevin Sinclair as the spinner.
England Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes, Smith (wk), Woakes, Atkinson, Bashir, Anderson.
West Indies Brathwaite (c), Louis, McKenzie, Athanaze, Hodge, Holder, Da Silva (wk), A Joseph, Motie, S Joseph, Seales.
We’ve won the toss and will bowl first
700 and counting… Over to you, Jim 🐐
Follow along LIVE via our Match Centre 👇
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 10, 2024
10:33 AM BST
England win the toss and bowl
“Everyone will like this, we’re gonna have a bowl!” says Ben Stokes. His opposite number Kraigg Brathwaite says West Indies would also have bowled.
“Think big batsmen, you’re playing at Lord’s” 🤩
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite tell his team to seize the moment on a big day at Lord’s pic.twitter.com/dLSFnq69ku
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 10, 2024
10:28 AM BST
Watch Shamar Joseph’s seven-for at Brisbane
If this doesn’t make you smile, I’m not sure what will.
10:26 AM BST
The new boys
We’ve just had a pair of cap presentations in the England huddle. Ollie Pope handed his mate from the Surrey academy Gus Atkinson his cap, number 714, which completes the set of Test, ODI and T20 caps. And then James Anderson gave Jamie Smith his cap. Anderson is 613, and Smith will be the last player to debut alongside him. He’s played with a lot of Test cricketers!
10:25 AM BST
Game recognise game
10:05 AM BST
Scyld Berry on the West Indies pace attack
Anyone indeed with even a vague interest in cricket can only have been thrilled when Shamar Joseph, in spite of his damaged toe, defeated Australia in the pink-ball Test and sprinted round the Gabba after taking seven for 68. Pure zest.
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10:02 AM BST
It’ll look great with a ham and eggs tie
Good morning from Lord’s, where there’s that familiar buzz of activity on a busy outfield. It’s a bit close today, but we should get a full day’s play. Expecting a slow pitch, as has been the way this year. It’s straw-coloured, with not much grass visible (from 100 yards away at least). They’re selling Jimmy Anderson farewell merch on the concourse – £60 for a hoodie.
09:59 AM BST
A bowl-first morning
The pitch looks fairly dry on the surface but the cloud at present is almost unbroken and the whole summer has been so wet that any neutral supporter will want England to bat first. West Indies batsmen are so inexperienced in these conditions that they could be dismantled by Jimmy.
09:57 AM BST
Broad: Jimmy’s got more in the tank
Stuart Broad joined the Vaughany & Tuffers Cricket Club to discuss the retirement of his great mate Jimmy Anderson and much else besides.
09:36 AM BST
Good morning
Hello and welcome to over-by-over coverage of the first Test between England and West Indies. Lord’s in July feels like The Oval in September*: it’s the opening Test of the summer, yet it’s also a grand farewell to James Anderson, who will play his 188th and final Test after getting a tap on the shoulder from Old Father Baz.
It all feels a bit strange, not least because Anderson has made it abundantly clear that he’d like to play on past his 42nd birthday, maybe even until the Ashes in 2025-26. There will be tears, shyness and hopefully plenty of outside edges.
The match itself could be great fun. West Indies’ last Test was a spectacular win over Australia at Brisbane in January, and even without their old don Kemar Roach, they have an enviable pace attack. England need to get some wins on the board – their last series victory was in Pakistan at the end of 2022, though we shouldn’t lose sight of how brilliantly they played for much of last summer’s drawn Ashes. They are still a team we should be proud of.
And we can no longer accuse them of pigheaded loyalty. This isn’t quite Bazball 2.0, but it’s the first time Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes and Rob Key have picked two debutants who they see as long-term investments. Jamie Smith will keep wicket in place of the original Bazballer, Jonny Bairstow, and Gus Atkinson has been hailed from a congested cab rank of fast bowlers.
Stokes made it clear the Ashes is his priority. “I want us to be able to take a squad out there that will go at Australia,” he said. “I’ll be nearly four years as captain when we go out there, I want to go out there knowing we’ve done everything possible over this 18-month period to go out there with a strong enough squad to not just compete with Australia, but to beat them.”
England XI Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes, Smith (wk), Woakes, Atkinson, Bashir, Anderson.
* Or The Oval in July if you move the Ashes to accommodate The Hundred, but let’s not go there
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