England debutants to take five-wicket hauls since Ben Stokes became captain

Gus Atkinson’s became the fifth debutant to take a five-wicket haul under Ben Stokes’ captaincy on day one of the first Test at Lord’s.

Here, PA looks at the bowlers who have enjoyed dream starts for Stokes.

Will Jacks – six for 161 v Pakistan, December 2022

The Surrey player is known best for his batting and white-ball cricket so it was something of a surprise when England took him on a Test tour primarily for his part-time off-spin. It was a hunch that paid off handsomely in the series opener in Rawalpindi, where he got through 40.3 overs and picked up an unlikely first-innings haul that included Pakistan captain Babar Azam and centurion Abdullah Shafique. England went on to win a high-scoring game by 74 runs but Jacks bowled only 14 overs in rest of the series and has yet to take another Test wicket.

Rehan Ahmed – five for 48 v Pakistan, December 2022

Josh Tongue – five for 66 v Ireland, June 2023

Tom Hartley – seven for 62 v India, January 2024

The tall Lancastrian was a gut-feel selection for England’s new year tour of India, with his height, high release point and skiddy bounce all counting in his favour despite a modest first-class record. Once again, the gamble came good for Stokes but only after a rocky start in Hyderabad. Hartley’s first ball in Test cricket was launched for six as part of a pre-meditated assault by Yashavi Jaiswal. But Hartley hit back as England romped to a remarkable comeback win despite conceding a 190-run first-innings deficit. With unpredictable bounce playing into his hands and attacking fields waiting to pounce, Hartley produced an unforgettable display.

Gus Atkinson – seven for 45 v West Indies, July 2024