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England pacer Gus Atkinson will miss the 2024 Hundred final for the Oval Invincibles after being pulled out by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The board took the cautious approach after the Ben Stokes injury earlier in the week during a Hundred clash given the upcoming three-Test series against Sri Lanka.
Atkinson has played only one game for the Invincibles this season and went wicketless while conceding 28 runs off his 10 deliveries.
The Invincibles skipper Sam Billings said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo:
"Gus has been withdrawn, which is quite understandable. It's disappointing for him but Saqib Mahmood has been phenomenal for us all tournament and showed his class the other night. He'll stay in the side."
Yet, Billings confirmed that Jordan Cox (part of the England squad for the Sri Lanka series) will play the summit clash.
"Jordan will be available and I think that's great for him. I've been in that position before where as a young player, you get withdrawn and miss out on playing time. For anyone to play in a final at Lord's in the leading domestic competition in the country, in front of a packed house is perfect preparation for international cricket," stated Billings.
Pace-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes was also withdrawn from the tournament after the Stokes injury a few days back.
The Invincibles will take on the winner of the Eliminator clash between the Birmingham Phoenix and the Southern Brave. Meanwhile, England begin their Test series against Sri Lanka with the first Test in Manchester on Wednesday, August 21.
Gus Atkinson had an incredible debut Test series against the West Indies
Gus Atkinson enjoyed an incredible debut Test series against the West Indies last month. The youngster picked up 22 wickets at an average of 16.22 with two five-wicket hauls in the three Tests.
His maiden Test bowling stint in the series opener saw him produce outstanding figures of 7/45 in 12 overs.
Atkinson kept going from strength to strength to win Player of the Series honors as England completed a 3-0 whitewash on the West Indies.
The speedster has already played 9 ODIs and 3 T20Is for England following his international debut last year. Atkinson has picked up 17 wickets in the white-ball formats and was part of the England squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup.
