England pacer Gus Atkinson is likely to miss the first Test against India, set to begin on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, due to a hamstring injury. The 27-year-old picked up the injury during England’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe last month and was subsequently ruled out of the ODI series against the West Indies, which England swept 3-0.
While there were initial hopes that Atkinson would recover in time for the series opener, reports now suggest that he is still battling to regain full fitness.
“Gus Atkinson is a doubt for the first Test against India later this month because of a right hamstring strain — adding to England’s injury concerns among their seamers,” the BBC reported.
Atkinson has emerged as a key figure in England’s pace attack following the back to back retirements of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Since making his debut at the start of last summer, he has featured in 12 of England’s last 13 Tests, claiming 55 wickets — the highest tally by any bowler in that period. His record includes three five-wicket hauls, and he has even scored a Test century, underlining his value with the bat.
His absence would add to England’s injury woes, with fast bowlers Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Olly Stone already sidelined. If Atkinson is unavailable, England may turn to Matthew Potts or Sam Cook to step in alongside Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, and Brydon Carse.
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