Atkinson is back, but not just quite yet, starting from the bottom in what has been a frustrating summer for him.
Atkinson back in whites, but not quite in the frame.
Gus Atkinson was reminded this week that cricket is not a game that loves you.
The 27-year-old has been putting in extra effort to recover from a hamstring injury sustained against Zimbabwe in the opening Test match of the summer. England’s 2024 player of the year, who wooed the format for 55 wickets, a century, and a hat-trick, now appeared ready to enter the starting lineup ahead of the fourth Test match at Emirates Old Trafford. An excellent source of additional thrust and oomph. And, most importantly, new legs.
However, England chose to overlook Atkinson. Due to his lack of fitness and the fact that he hadn’t played since Trent Bridge, it was too risky to play with players like Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, and captain Ben Stokes, who were all absent from the fifth Test. Even worse for Atkinson was Surrey’s opinion.
Unselected players from international teams typically fit into their county team, particularly if they average 22.30 with the ball. However, Surrey required their own assurances that every member of their assault could contribute if the Kookaburra ball was in play the day before they played Yorkshire.
Atkinson was forced to settle for a try in the second XI. Since his injury, it was his second game. The first time he was disregarded after being recalled was during a Saturday Lord’s Test match for his club, Spencer. He was in the ones, at least then.
Despite the fact that it was a humiliating event, the seamen had apparently accepted it after experiencing some understandable shock. Easily the most enigmatic of England’s cricket players, Atkinson controls his emotions.
Throughout Thursday, however, there was appropriate, clear delight. With a threat of 2 for 31 from 19 overs, Atkinson displayed the kind of unwavering accuracy that, astonishingly, only left him with one boundary to his name.
Like second albums, second years are never easy. If Atkinson’s 2025 performance was even half as statistically impressive as his 2024 performance, it would still be pretty something.
After dismissing Brian Bennett of Zimbabwe, he dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal at 85 mph for the first time in over two months. Just after surviving a lbw dismissal on review, a ball that crawled in from a jumbled seam that has been productive for Atkinson at this level undid Dhruv Jurel with lift at 84 mph.
Fortunately, 17 of his overs and those dismissals came from his less favourite Pavilion End, where he has averaged 31.6 for Surrey since the beginning of 2022. The bad news is that Chris Woakes’ shoulder injury caused him to miss two overs from his Vauxhall End (22.6).
Josh Tongue was a rogue even with his worldies, and his brilliance couldn’t make up for it. Nor Overton, who has only taken two first-class wickets since September 2023 (as many County Championship games as he has played for Surrey since then), lacked the sense for the right lengths, as one might assume.
Atkinson may be eager to learn more. However, he will now need to take charge of the assault. He will need to mature quickly and assist in putting together a significant victory in this series finale, little over a year after making his debut.