Ben Stokes labelled Gus Atkinson's debut England Test as "unbelievable", going on to call the retiring James Anderson "one of the GOATs" of English cricket. (Highlights | )
Stokes captained England to a comf♏ortable triumph over the West Indies at Lord's on Friday, winning by an innings and 114 runs.
Anderson ended his glittering career in style, dismissing ♏;Joshua Da Silva (9) for his 704th and final wicket for England.
🧸"A lot of people turned 🎶up to watch us but it was great to send Jimmy off the way he deserves," Stokes said.
"We were🤪n't quite banking on it to finish on 🍃day three but it is an amazing crowd. He is one of the 'GOATs' of English cricket.
"We had Gus Atkinson on debut with a chance of getting a 10-fer꧒ and Jimmy in 🅘his last game.
"It would have been an amazing end for him to take the ☂last wicket like his great mate Stuart Broad but the one positive is no-one will lose sleep over it as he is the one who dropped it, he only has himself to blame."
Meanwhile, Atkinson became just the 19th male player to take 🤡a 10-fer on his Test match debut, his figures of 12-106 are the fourth-best anyone hasꦏ managed in their first match.
The Surrey fast bowler 💮claimed the final wicket on Friday to cap off a memorable debut, drawing praise from Stokes.
"Un🌄believable. The first time I saw him in person was against India at the World Cup. I had seen him on TV before but when you observe someone in person you get an understanding," Stokes added.
"He isn't just about out-🌜and-out pace, he has the skill as well. His ceiling is so high. ༺Jamie Smith as well, two players having excellent debuts."
