WI VS ENG TESTS

Right then, that's a wrap on the first Test of the 2024 Richards-Botham Trophy, where England secured a dominant victory to take the lead in this three-match series. Interestingly, this mirrors the West Indies' start to their Test series in Australia earlier in the year, where they suffered a comprehensive defeat in the first Test inside three days. However, they bounced back with a historic win at the Gabba, their first in Australia in 27 years, to end the series on a level footing. Similarly, the West Indies have not won a Test series in England since 1988. If Kraigg Brathwaite and his team hope to win a series in England for the first time in 36 years, they will need to draw inspiration from that remarkable Gabba victory and conjure up a spirited effort to take the series to a decider. The second Test starts on Thursday, 18th July at Trent Bridge in Nottingham with the first ball to be bowled at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT). As always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Next up, the ECB chairman Richard Thompson presents James Anderson with a special painting of his 700th Test wicket. The great man comes in for a chat now. Anderson says that it has been an amazing journey and he is quite overwhelmed with the support this week. Adds that the journey has been pretty special and every time he wore this shirt, he tried to win games for England. Shares that the emotions have been up and down right from Day 1 when his daughters rang the bell. Tells that the past 20 years have been amazing and he enjoyed every moment. States that you can't have a long career without family support and it is not only the player's journey but the journey of the family too. Mentions that winning series and winning Test matches have been the only thing that he has been interested in. Further says that winning in Australia, winning in India, becoming the number 1 side in the world and contributing in those series are the things he will remember. Says that he has never moved away from any responsibility and when the captain throws you the ball late in the day, it shows your character and how deep can you actually dig. Feels that Test cricket is a roller coaster ride and you need to be spot on as a team and perform. Lauds Gus Atkinson for the way he bowled and feels that Atkinson has all the attributes to become a great bowler in Test cricket.

The skipper of England, Ben Stokes says it is a really good start. Says to come out and put in a comprehensive performance like this is clinical. Adds before the game, it was exciting to see new lads getting the debut caps. Appreciates Gus Atkinson and says that he is incredibly skillful. And mentions that he used the Lord's slope to his advantage. Further says that taking 12 wickets in the first Test is incredible and exciting. Says for the new guys starting their careers it's about making sure they know they can express themselves in the way they want to. Says there's absolute freedom to play your natural game, and that's what he and their coach Brendon McCullum are trying to do. On being asked about his knee he says it is great to be back and able to contribute with the ball and says he felt he bowled in good rhythm in both innings. On Anderson's career, he mentions that he is an incredible inspiration for millions of people. Says a lot of youngsters look up to him and want to emulate his career which is going to be very hard to do. Says Anderson is 41 and is always looking to get better. Mentions he always wants to contribute to the team's win in every possible way. Also says, that every time he has walked onto the field, he has done exactly that.

The captain of West Indies, Kraigg Brathwaite says that they disappointed themselves with the bat and when you score just 100 runs with the bat, you are always behind the game. Feels that bowling was a positive but they could have still done better. Believes that this team has it in them to win a Test here in England and it is about the guys having the same belief. Further says that being mentally strong after such a defeat is important. Tells that fast bowlers, especially those who came from the World Cup will need some time to get into a rhythm and feels that Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph will be better in the next two Tests.

Gus Atkinson is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his sensational debut, taking 12 wickets in his maiden Test. He thanks James Anderson and says that playing in Anderson's last Test is just incredible. Says growing up, he would come here to Lord's just to watch Jimmy bowl. On being asked about opting out of the Indian T20 League, Atkinson says he struggled with his rhythm at the start of the season with Surrey and needed a few red-ball games leading into this. Ends up by saying that now he thinks it was the right decision to do so.

First up, MCC president Mark Nicholas greets James Anderson and announces that the retiring pacer has been made an honorary life member of the club.

Stick around for the presentation ceremony...

On the first morning, England won the toss and Ben Stokes chose to bowl under overcast conditions. West Indies openers Kraigg Brathwaite and debutant Mikyle Louis started well, with Louis quickly punishing loose deliveries. England's debutant Gus Atkinson made an immediate impact, taking a wicket with his second delivery and, supported by Ben Stokes, dismantled the Windies' top order. After a promising start by Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge, West Indies collapsed dramatically, losing their last 7 wickets for just 33 runs to be bowled out for 121. Atkinson was the wrecker in chief, finishing with exceptional figures of 12-5-45-7, just missing out on becoming the first Englishman to take eight wickets on debut as Anderson ended the innings by dismissing Seales. Despite an early breakthrough by Seales, the West Indies bowlers struggled to capitalize, and with sunny conditions, the English batters found it easier to build partnerships. Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley scored fifties, while Joe Root and Harry Brook furthered England's lead, finishing the day 68 runs ahead.

Having fallen behind on the first day, it was important for the West Indies to pick themselves and find a way back in the contest early on Day 2. The highlight of the morning session for them was Gudakesh Motie producing two superb deliveries, one to Ben Stokes that spun in sharply off the footmarks and the other, an arm ball that seemed to deviate away off the seam to remove Joe Root. The debutant Jamie Smith then took over and helped England end up with a lead of 250 runs. In response, West Indies' openers made a cautious start before Kraigg Brathwaite was undone by an absolute seed by James Anderson. Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes soon got into the act as the trio chipped away at the wickets. Kirk Mckenzie became Stokes' 200th Test victim, marking a milestone for the English skipper. Stokes became just the third player after Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis to score 6000 runs and take 200 wickets in Test cricket. Alick Athanaze could not see himself through til the end of the day's play while Jason Holder looked set to do so until he was bounced out on what ended up being the last ball of the day, leaving West Indies at 79/6 with a deficit of 171 runs going into Day 3.

Coming to what transpired on Day 3, it was just the perfect start to the day for James Anderson and England. The retiring pacer produced a peach of a delivery to nick Joshua Da Silva off. It did not take long for the debutant Gus Atkinson to get into the act as he helped England inch further towards the win with a couple of wickets. Amidst all this, Gudakesh Motie had a bit of fun, as all tailenders do with nothing to lose. With 9 wickets down, the stage was set for James Anderson to end his career by taking the final wicket and he almost did but ended up dropping a simple chance to his left off his own bowling. Eventually, it was Gus Atkinson who took the last wicket, bouncing out Jayden Seales, helping England complete a win by an innings and 114 runs. Gus Atkinson ended with 12 wickets in the game, 7 in the first inning and 5 in the second inning in what turned out to be a dream Test debut for the man from Chelsea. Atkinson's match figures of 12 for 106 are the third-best for a pacer on Test debut.

On May 22, 2003, a young James Anderson took to the field, making his Test debut at this very venue against Zimbabwe. Fast forward 21 years, and we now witness the end of an extraordinary journey that has seen Anderson age like the finest of wines. Remarkably, the circle of time brings a poetic touch to his career, as he bowled his first delivery in Test cricket on a Friday, and it is indeed a Friday when he delivered his last. The symmetry is almost too perfect, a fitting end to the saga of one of cricket’s greats.

Gus Atkinson finishes off the innings to give England a 1-0 lead in the series! The man that James Anderson is, he has always put his team ahead of personal milestones and will have no regrets about missing out on the final wicket. The entire Lord's rises in a heartfelt standing ovation to bid farewell to a true legend of the game. Emotions run high among Anderson's family in the stands, mirroring the sentiment of fans worldwide. Embrace from each of his teammates before Anderson leads his team off the field for one final time in international cricket, with each step a testament to his unwavering passion and the indelible mark he leaves on the sport. The Lancashire man bows out with 704 Test wickets to his name, placing him third behind Muttiah Muralitharan with 800 and Shane Warne with 708 on the wicket-taker list in Tests but the leading wicket-taker among pacers in Test cricket.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Gus Atkinson wraps up in style with a sensational 5-fer. He ends up with 12 wickets in his first Test. England clinically win by an inning and 114 runs. Gus Atkinson bends his back and bangs a short-pitched delivery on the stumps, Jayden Seales reacts quickly to the length, readies himself for the pull shot, and transfers the weight on the back foot. He does connect the shot well and pulls in the air towards the deep square leg area. However, he couldn't power away the ball over the fence and Ben Duckett stationed right on the boundary at deep square leg, judges the catch well and grabs it safely over his head. All good things do come to an end, they say! James Anderson ends his illustrious 21-year Test career on that note with 704 wickets to his name in 188 matches.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Gus Atkinson wraps up in style with a sensational 5-fer. He ends up with 12 wickets in his first Test. England clinically win by an inning and 114 runs. Gus Atkinson bends his back and bangs a short-pitched delivery on the stumps, Jayden Seales reacts quickly to the length, readies himself for the pull shot, and transfers the weight on the back foot. He does connect the shot well and pulls in the air towards the deep square leg area. However, he couldn't power away the ball over the fence and Ben Duckett stationed right on the boundary at deep square leg, judges the catch well and grabs it safely over his head. All good things do come to an end, they say! James Anderson ends his illustrious 21-year Test career on that note with 704 wickets to his name in 188 matches.

Full in length, and on off, Jayden Seales shovels it out straight to cover.

Atkinson keeps his length intact, on a length, around off, Gudakesh Motie creates room for him and toe-ends the shot with a horizontal bat to the left of mid off for one.

Hard length, and angling on off, Gudakesh Motie punches it to the cover fielder.

FOUR! Hacked! A bumper on the middle, Gudakesh Motie sways from the line, clearing his front leg and bends to his right to pull it away. However, the ball is too close to pull and takes the top over the keeper's head for a boundary.