‘Smashed it’: Atkinson earns Pope praise after taking 5-62 to join England elite

Only third man with five-fer and century in same matchStand-in skipper Ollie Pope defends his own performanceEngland’s stand-in captain Ollie Pope paid tribute to Gus Atkinson as his pace bowler – or should that be all-rounder? – secured his side a series win against Sri Lanka. After a maiden hundred on the second day, Atkinson, the player of the match, was back on the honours board at Lord’s with five for 62 on the fourth and final day. He joined Tony Greig and Ian Botha