[Watch] "It is his brother's birthday as well" - Gus Atkinson’s father reacts after watching son score maiden ton on Day 2 of ENG vs SL 2024 2nd Test
England cricketer Gus Atkinson's father Ed watched his son score his maiden Test hundred at Lord's against Sri Lanka on Day 2 of the five-day match on Friday, August 30. Sharing his emotions after Atkinson's hundred at the 'home of cricket', Ed said that he was ecstatic and termed it a special occasion as the cricketer's brother was also celebrating his birthday.
Atkinson was unbeaten on 74 overnight and eased to his hundred on Day 2 of the Lord's Test against Sri Lanka. As he celebrated his maiden Test ton, his father, who was watching the action from the stands, got a bit emotional.
The official X handle of Lord's Cricket Ground shared a video of Ed reacting to the special moment when Atkinson brought up his hundred. While celebrating his son's big moment, he commented:
“Ecstatic, obviously. Especially at Lord's and following up on his debut, it's just quite unreal. And it is his brother's birthday as well, which makes it even more special, he is here as well. It's a marvelous moment. Such a thrill.
“Can't quite believe it. The names are all up there. There are great all-rounders and it is still early days but I am just so thrilled that he has managed to express himself with bat and ball. For us as a family it is just wonderful to see him succeed,” Atkinson senior went on to add.
Resuming their first innings on 358-7, England ended up posting 427 in 102 overs. Atkinson's fine knock ended for 118 off 115 balls, an innings which featured 14 fours and four sixes. For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando claimed 5-102, while Milan Rathnayake and Lahiru Kumara picked up two wickets each.
Atkinson followed up his hundred with two wickets on Day 2 at Lord's
After smashing a brilliant century, the England right-arm pacer contributed with the ball as well on Day 2 at Lord's. The 26-year-old registered impressive figures of 2-40 from 8.3 overs. He got the wickets of Dinesh Chandimal (23) and Kamindu Mendis (74) as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 196 in 55.3 overs.
Apart from Atkinson, fellow England pacers Chris Woakes, Matthew Potts and Olly Stone also claimed two wickets each, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir chipped in with one. England were 25-1 after seven overs in their second innings at stumps on Day 2 at Lord's, with a huge lead of 256 runs.