The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has packed away pacer Gus Atkinson from the five-match ODI series against Australia later this month in order to manage his workload, after having been their leading wicket taker against both West Indies and Sri Lanka within six tests.
In just six tests, Atkinson took 34 wickets after making his debut against literally all these countries as well as Chris Woakes who also played in all those rounds for England back-to-back during summer season.
In fact, during the last stages of the series against Sri Lanka, there were indications that Atkinson’s pace had dropped in the course of the summer. On day three at The Oval, he even had to leave the field for a while because he had a tight quad. Nevertheless, he was fit enough to bowl 11 overs in the fourth innings despite claiming one out of two wickets that fell on that day from Sri Lanka.
ECB has named Olly Stone as his replacement in the squad.
In late September, England will travel to Pakistan for a three-Test series before heading off again to New Zealand for another three-Test tour in November. They will be missing Mark Wood who is out for the rest of the year with an elbow injury. Following Stuart Broad’s and James Anderson’s retirements this summer, England has centered on reshaping their seam attack.
Stand-in Test captain Ollie Pope from England said about Atkinson: “I suppose he is alright.” Atkinson obviously has some weeks off now which will make him refreshed when coming back for next game against New Zealand. For the moment he can take a rest because of how good he bowled today despite our conversation where by all means Felix mentioned but looking at his face it seems that this is the day when he truly feels better than at first sight therefore it’s quite encouraging from us. Hope he remains fine.
England ODI squad to play Australia: Jos Buttler (capt), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, John Turner.
