REAL GUS TO

Yet more Atkinson heroics help secure series victory

- Gary Fitzgerald

GUS ATKINSON was on fire at Lord's again as England's new golden all-rounder helped seal a stunning series win against Sri Lanka.

The 26-year-old bridged a 40-year gap to join an elite club of players by scoring a century and taking a five-for in the same Test.

Atkinson put the finishing touches to a 190-run victory in the Second Test, bagging 5-62 to bowl Sri Lanka out for 292.

And in doing so he stole the Player of the Match award from former skipper Joe Root, who had hit back-to-back centuries.

Atkinson said: "To get on both honours boards will take a while to sink in.

"My first red-ball games have gone well here and I enjoy playing with the slope.

"We just like to attack and, as a bowler, it's great not to worry about conceding too many runs.