Gus Atkinson's Test Record: Why England Seamer Could Be A Threat To India In 5th Test

Gus Atkinson in action [Source: AFP]

In a significant development, the ECB recently announced England's playing XI for the fifth Test against India at Kennington Oval. Led by stand-in skipper Ollie Pope, the hosts are preparing to take on a spirited Indian outfit in the decider, which promises to be an absolute cracker. 

While captain Ben Stokes was ruled out of the match due to an injury to his right shoulder, promising fast bowler Gus Atkinson made his comeback to the playing XI. As the right-arm pacer is set to play a Test after a two-month hiatus, here's a look at his rise as a Test cricketer. 

Gus Atkinson's Test Journey At A Glance

(Gus Atkinson's stats and records in Test cricket)

A Stellar Start At Home Followed By 2 Challenging Away Tours

Hailed for his ability to make the new ball talk at a rapid pace, Gus Atkinson made his Test debut against West Indies at Lord's in July 2024. He had a stellar start to his career, rattling the Men in Maroon with a magnificent ten-wicket haul in the Test match. 

Overall, he bagged twelve wickets across the Test, scalping clinical fifers in both innings. His emphatic performance led England to glory, with the hosts steamrolling the visiting side by an innings and 114 runs. 

Atkinson bagged 22 wickets in just three Tests against West Indies before showcasing his all-round prowess against the Sri Lankans the very next month. Apart from scalping 12 wickets, Atkinson was the chief architect of England's series victory, amassing 158 runs, including a blistering century at Lord's. 

Although England's Pakistan and New Zealand tours turned out to be quite challenging, Atkinson passed the Test with flying colours, scalping 18 wickets across both tours combined. 

An Injury Setback That Forced Atkinson To Sit Out Of First 4 India Tests

Atkinson's Test career was all set to take off; however, an unfortunate injury setback shattered his dream of playing the home series against India. He sustained a hamstring injury during the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, also ruling him out of the West Indies ODIs and the first three Tests against India. 

Although he was included in the English squad for the 4th Test, England adopted a cautious approach and didn't rush him to the field. However, he managed to get fitness clearance and is finally set to face India in the decider at the Oval. 

Why Could Atkinson Be A Threat To Indian Team?

• Impeccable Home Record: Atkinson has been a proven performer on home soil, scalping 37 wickets in just seven matches at an average of 20.57 and a strike rate of 30.11. 
• Tall Bowler, Can Test Batters With Pace And Bounce: Besides generating lateral movement, Atkinson can cause discomfort for the Indian batters with his searing pace and ability to extract bounce off the surface by using his height. If the pitch deteriorates, Atkinson can take advantage of the uneven bounce at Oval. 
• Multi-dimensional skills: Hailed for his incredible bowling skills, Atkinson is also a handy batter. In 16 innings, he has struck 352 runs at an average of 23.47; so, his inclusion adds depth to the English batting unit. 
• Oval Is Atkinson's Home Turf: Very few people know that Atkinson plays domestic cricket for Surrey, a team that has Kennington Oval as its home ground in the County Championship. Thus, he has ample experience in playing at the venue, which is another reason why he might trouble the Indian players in the 5th Test. 

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