Gus Atkinson is more than just an out-and-out quick bowler: Ben Stokes

England ended the first day of their second test match against West Indies by scoring 416 at the end of 88.2 overs. They even created a record by scoring 50 runs at the end of 4.2 overs in typical Bazball fashion and earning the tag of the fastest team fifty in international test matches. How the bowling unit will respond to this on Day 2 remains to be seen. 

The retirement of England pacer James Anderson marks the end of an era for the team in the department of bowling. England captain Ben Stokes is however geared up for the challenge in this phase of transition. “You ask any batter in the world, whether it be Joe Root, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, the pace is a massive weapon that makes you do different things. It makes you think differently. But also there has got to be skill attached to your pace,” Ben said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. 

Also Read: I don’t remember having a specific game plan against Sachin Tendulkar: James Anderson

England will be enthusiastic about the promise shown by debutant Gus Atikson in his first test match against West Indies. Gus Atkinson picked up 12 wickets across both innings. “Gus showed that last week, that he's more than just an out-and-out quick bowler, he's incredibly skillful. As is Mark Wood. The ability for him to be able to bowl as quickly as he does but have control and swing as well is something that's very rare in someone who bowls that fast. It's an added bonus having people who you can select who can bowl at 90 mph and above, but you still have to be very skillful with what you've got,” Ben added.