Gus Atkinson, who missed much of last summer through injury and was ruled out of the fifth Ashes Test with a hamstring problem, has added to concerns over England’s pace bowling stock after suffering a concussion during Surrey’s County Championship match against Nottinghamshire.
Just as England prepare to name their squad for the first Test against New Zealand, Atkinson was struck on the head twice by international teammate Josh Tongue while batting in Surrey’s first innings at Trent Bridge. The blows came in consecutive Tongue overs, with the second being particularly severe.
The 28-year-old was assessed on both occasions and initially continued batting, but later called for further treatment and retired on 27. He was replaced in the match by Reece Topley.
“Gus passed the tests on the field, otherwise he would not have been able to stay out there,” said Surrey head coach Gareth Batty. “He felt like he was OK, but duty of care comes into it. I don’t know the ins and outs of what exactly happened but it clearly came to a point where he had to come off. He’s OK in himself.”
Atkinson’s injury came on the same day that England teammate Ollie Pope appeared at number 10 for Surrey due to a hand injury.
England, set to confirm Australian Marcus North as their new national selector, will soon name a squad for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s starting on 4 June. While much speculation has centred on potential batting additions, England’s pace-bowling department looks depleted.
Atkinson and Tongue appeared to be the most likely specialist seamers for the squad, alongside two or three others. However, Jofra Archer may not be ready for Test cricket after his Indian Premier League spell, Brydon Carse has a broken wrist, Mark Wood has no timetable for return from a knee injury, and Chris Woakes retired from international cricket last year.
Atkinson’s Surrey teammate Matthew Fisher was called into the Ashes squad, but another Surrey bowler, Tom Lawes, has missed two Championship matches through injury. England could end Ollie Robinson’s international exile or ask Essex’s Sam Cook to add to his one cap. Hampshire’s Sonny Baker has a central contract and strong early-season form, while Lancashire’s Mitchell Stanley is highly rated.
England captain Ben Stokes has played his first game of the season for Durham, opening the bowling in his first Championship match in almost two years. Stokes has recovered from the quad injury suffered in the fifth Ashes Test and a horrific broken cheek sustained while coaching the Durham academy. He took two wickets in 8.5 overs in Worcestershire’s second innings, adding to his two wickets in 20 overs from the first innings. After being out for 14 on Saturday evening, Stokes was not required to bat in the second innings as Durham chased 143 to win by nine wickets.
