Gus Atkinson is still coming to terms with his extraordinary Test debut for England on Wednesday, where he took seven West Indies wickets for 45 runs, marking one of the best starts by an Englishman in the longest format of the game.

“I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet to be honest, looking up at the board and seeing my figures and just thinking ‘Wow’. It’s a very special day,” Atkinson told reporters. “It was more than I could have dreamt of.”

Atkinson appreciated not being in the limelight, as the public’s attention was focused on James Anderson, who was making his final appearance in his 188th and last Test at the same ground where his career began in May 2003.

“The focus was on Jimmy, so it was nice to go under the radar a bit and just focus on performing as best as I could,” Atkinson said. “To be out there alongside Jimmy in his final test was incredible, being in the Long Room, Jimmy leading us on the pitch was a pretty surreal moment.”

He admitted to feeling nervous at the start of the day. “I was a bit nervous this morning – woke up and all you could think about was the day ahead,” he said. “I tried to keep as level as possible. My dad was saying ‘It’s the biggest day of your life’ and I was like ‘Relax! Relax – try not to think like that’,” he added with a laugh. “Once the first few overs were bowled, I was pretty calm.”

Atkinson also expressed confidence in his ability, having previously played shorter matches at Lord’s, which helped him acclimate to the ground. “I’ve played a few white-ball games here. It was special, I’ve always felt like I would bowl quite well here with the red ball, so to be able to come out and get the opportunity in the first test of the summer is great, and thankfully it went well.”