By Will Macpherson
It was, according to Gus Atkinson, a “perfect” evening at Old Trafford on Friday. “I can’t ask for much more than that to be honest,” he said of his international debut. “I’m very happy.”
And so he should be. Atkinson bowled just 2.5 overs on the first of his three England debuts – because, yes, ODI and Test bows seem certain to follow pretty promptly – but picked up four for 20. No England bowler has performed better on T20 debut. Another chance will follow as the series continues in Birmingham today and Nottingham on Tuesday, before the ODIs next week and the World Cup that follows.
Atkinson said that he was “just trying to do what I’ve been doing for Surrey and the Oval Invincibles, and thankfully it worked well for me tonight”. England got exactly what they were hoping for from him: pace, bounce and no obvious nerves. He was sharp enough to keep top order batsmen on a leash, and simply too quick and skilful for the tail. Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow both spoke in glowing terms about him.
Everything about Atkinson is understated and quiet. He is softly-spoken, and not overly expressive. He trots to the crease without fuss, with his right arm coming over high and fast, which hurries batsmen, and explains why he has regularly hit them on the head or body. His second ball was 92mph in Manchester, and his fourth brought a wicket. He is keen to play down comparisons with Jofra Archer that players on the circuit first noted last summer.
That his first wicket arrived so quickly, he admitted, helped settle the nerves. He had learnt on Thursday that he would definitely be playing in the second T20, but remained calm. “I thought the nerves would kick in later on but once I got that first ball, first wicket and first over out of the way, then it was happy days,” he said.
The first wicket brought a celebration that was typically understated. He explains: “One of my friends said, ‘You never know, we might get a smile out of you when you get your first wicket.’ So I was thinking of that once I got my wicket but yeah, I was obviously very happy inside.”
At 25, Atkinson is by no means old. But he has had to wait for this opportunity, with injuries slowing his path. He was presented his England cap by Sam Curran, also 25 and a peer in the Surrey system. Curran has been an England regular for five years and Friday’s T20 was his 350th professional game. It was just Atkinson’s 60th. They are part of a particularly productive Surrey academy cohort, along with Ollie Pope, plus Championship winners Amar Virdi and Ryan Patel. Will Jacks, now an England team-mate, is a few months younger.
Atkinson says the time it has taken to reach the top made his debut that much more special.
“I knew that once I got going, it could happen quickly,” he said. “I’ve always known my ability and what I can do and I always knew once I had the chance with games. The Hundred was a big opportunity. I knew if I could perform in that, then it would happen quickly and thankfully it has.
“I think I’ve always had it [the pace] in me. It’s just a case of game time and confidence in my body and in my bowling in general. Just being able to go, ‘Right I’m going to run in and bowl quick!
“I’ve worked quite hard for it and gone through a few injuries, so to come and perform well on my debut and be here in an England shirt is a dream come true.”