"Couldn't Have Asked For More": Gus Atkinson After Match-Winning Fifer, Century Against Sri Lanka

Following his side's series win over Sri Lanka, England pacer Gus Atkinson said that it was special for him to get on all of Lord's honours boards and bat with Joe Root in the first innings. Atkinson continued his rise in international cricket, getting a fine match-winning century and a five-wicket haul to accomplish a rare double at the iconic venue. This also helped England secure a 190 run win over Sri Lanka and win the three-match series 2-0.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Atkinson said, "I could not have asked for much more. To get on both honour's boards, it is incredible. It will take a while to sink in. (On Joe Root) He has been excellent this week. Batting alongside him for so long in the first innings was very special. First red-ball games at Lord's and it is gone pretty well, I enjoy bowling with the slope, it is just gone my way, and long may it continue. I will do what they say (when asked if he would be okay to bowl from the Nursery End). The way we go about the game, we just like to attack. And as a bowler, it is great to be able to attack and not worry about runs too much. Physically, it is quite demanding running over after over, but I have enjoyed it so much, looking forward to it going forward."

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field first. England scored 427 runs in the first innings, with Root (143 in 206 balls, with 18 fours) and Gus Atkinson (118 in 115 balls, with 14 fours and four sixes) slamming centuries to take England to a massive score.

Asitha Fernando (5/102) was the top bowler for Sri Lanka. Milan Rathnayake and Lahiru Kumara took two wickets each.

In their first innings, despite Kamindu Mendis's fighting 74 runs in 120 balls, with eight fours and three sixes, Sri Lanka could