In a brutal display of batting, Atkins, and opening partner Sarah Taylor, both scored magnificent centuries against South Africa in 2008 as they piled up an opening stand of 268, guiding England to 310 for 3.
At the time, it was the record stand for any wicket in women's One-Day Internationals. The former Durham MCCU player ended up with 145 off 155 balls in a scintillating performance that saw England victorious by an astounding 225 runs.
Atkins was also a member of the England team which won both the ICC Women’s World Cup and Women’s World Twenty20 in 2009, with the final of the latter taking place at Lord’s.