It's understandably taking time to sink in for Gus Atkinson, after a dream Test debut saw the England pacer uproot the West Indies with a seven-wicket haul that gave the hosts early control of the first Test at Lord's.
"I don't think it's really sunk in yet to be honest, looking up at the board and seeing my figures and just thinking 'wow'. It's a very special day," said Atkinson, as quoted by Reuters, after taking 7 for 45 on day one of the Test. "(It's) more than I could have dreamt for."
With the focus on England's bowling legend James Anderson making his 188th and final Test appearance, it took pressure off Atkinson.
"The focus was on Jimmy so it was nice to go under the radar a bit and just focus on performing as best as I could. To be out there alongside Jimmy in his final Test was incredible, being in the Long Room (at Lord's), Jimmy leading us on the pitch was a pretty surreal moment," he said.
"I was a bit nervous this morning - woke up and all you could think about was the day ahead. I tried to keep as level as possible. My dad was saying 'It's the biggest day of your life' and I was like 'Relax! Relax - try not to think like that'," Atkinson said on a lighter note.
He added that having played at Lord's previously helped him, besides being confident about the skills he possessess as a bowler.
"Once the first few overs were bowled, I was pretty calm. I've played a few white ball games here. It was special, I've always felt like I would bowl quite well here with the red ball so to be able to come out and get the opportunity in the first test of the summer is great, and thankfully it went well," he said.
