Cricket

Gus Atkinson, the standout performer in England's recent ODI series against West Indies, will miss the final of the men's Hundred tournament due to his unavailability for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. Atkinson, who claimed 22 wickets in his debut series and was named Player of the Series, has only featured once for Oval Invincibles this year.Invincibles' captain Sam Billings expressed disappointment over Atkinson's absence but acknowledged the ECB's cautious approach to player availability following Ben Stokes' hamstring injury. Saqib Mahmood, who has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, will replace Atkinson in the side.The Invincibles will also be without Spencer Johnson due to injury, but Tom Curran will return after being rested in the previous match. The ECB is taking a cautious approach to England players' availability, with Chris Woakes already withdrawn from the tournament. However, Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, and Jordan Cox will be available for the weekend's matches ahead of the first Test.Billings emphasized the importance of playing in the Hundred final for young players like Cox, who will gain valuable experience in front of a packed Lord's crowd. Jofra Archer, who has been carefully managed due to previous injuries, is expected to be available for both the eliminator and final if Southern Brave qualify.In the women's Hundred, Chamari Athapaththu will be unavailable for the Invincibles in their eliminator against London Spirit due to her commitments with Sri Lanka's ODI squad in Ireland. Megan Schutt, the Invincibles' fourth overseas player, is likely to feature in her place.

Washington Sundar, the Indian all-rounder, has been nominated for the ICC Player of the Month Award for July, alongside England's Gus Atkinson and Scotland's Charlie Cassell. Sundar's nomination is a testament to his recent performances, which have seen him establish himself as a key player for India.Sundar's journey to international recognition has been marked by perseverance and resilience. After battling injuries and spending years on the fringes of the Indian team, he finally broke through in Zimbabwe during a five-match T20I series. With the regular players rested, Sundar seized the opportunity and emerged as the team's leading spin-bowling all-rounder.In the first T20I, Sundar impressed with bowling figures of 2/11 and a valuable contribution of 27 runs. He played a crucial role in India's comeback, helping them turn a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 series victory. He took six more wickets in the remaining four matches and was named Player of the Match in the third game for his outstanding figures of 3/15. Sundar finished the series as the joint-highest wicket-taker with eight scalps.Sundar's impressive form continued in the subsequent series against Sri Lanka, where he earned the Player of the Match award in the only match he played. In a thrilling Super Over, he showcased his all-around abilities.Meanwhile, Gus Atkinson made a sensational Test debut for England at Lord's, taking 12 wickets in the match. He bagged a five-wicket haul in each innings, including a remarkable 7/45 in the first innings. Atkinson's heroics helped England secure an innings victory by 114 runs.Charlie Cassell, on the other hand, made a record-breaking ODI debut for Scotland against Oman. He claimed a seven-wicket haul (7/21), breaking Kagiso Rabada's nine-year-old record for the best bowling figures on ODI debut. Cassell's dream start included two wickets off his first two deliveries in international cricket. His performance ranked as the 7th-best bowling figures in ODI history.

England's Test attack has received a significant boost with the emergence of two fast bowlers, Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson. Their performances in the recent series against West Indies have showcased their potential to excel in overseas conditions where medium-pace seam and swing tend to be less effective.Wood, a 34-year-old veteran, has consistently bowled at speeds exceeding 90mph, making him one of the fastest bowlers in the world. In the second Test, he delivered three of the fastest overs ever recorded by an Englishman. Despite a slow start in the series, Wood's focus on skill rather than outcome, guided by James Anderson's mentorship, led to a remarkable spell of 5 for 9 in six overs, setting England on course for a 10-wicket victory.Atkinson, on the other hand, has impressed with his pace and ability to move the ball, claiming 22 wickets at an average of 16.22 in the series. He took 12 wickets on debut at Lord's, bowling alongside Anderson, and has since taken on the responsibility of taking the new ball in Anderson's absence. Atkinson credits Anderson's guidance for boosting his confidence and helping him settle into his new role.Both Wood and Atkinson have made technical adjustments to improve their performances. Wood has extended his run-up, while Atkinson has focused on consistency at the crease. Atkinson aims to increase his pace over longer spells, while Wood is determined to maintain his high speeds over back-to-back appearances.Despite their impressive pace, both bowlers recognize their primary role in the team is to create opportunities and make things happen. Wood emphasizes his ability to swing the Dukes ball at pace, while Atkinson is willing to adapt his bowling style to the captain's instructions.The emergence of Wood and Atkinson has given England a formidable bowling attack that can challenge opponents in a variety of conditions. Their ability to bowl consistently at high speeds and move the ball makes them a potent threat, and they will be key to England's success in upcoming overseas tours.

England's 3-0 Test series victory over West Indies has been hailed by head coach Brendon McCullum as a testament to the team's newfound resilience and the successful integration of new faces.Despite facing pressure from West Indies at various points, England's ability to withstand those challenges and emerge victorious has impressed McCullum. He attributes this to a focus on "refinement" and a determination to improve when behind the game.The series has also seen the seamless integration of debutants Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith, and Shoaib Bashir. Atkinson's 22 dismissals earned him the Player of the Series award, while Smith's batting and wicketkeeping contributions have been equally impressive. Bashir's five-wicket haul in the second Test further vindicated the decision to hand him the main spinner's role.McCullum acknowledges that the transition from old to new was not entirely smooth, but the performances of the new players have justified the changes made. He also praises the influence of James Anderson, who has taken on a fast-bowling mentor role and provided valuable insights to the team.Looking ahead, McCullum expresses support for limited-overs coach Matthew Mott, who has faced criticism after two unsuccessful World Cup campaigns. He emphasizes Mott's qualities as a coach and believes that he will continue to be successful regardless of the outcome of the ongoing review.

England's preparations for the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge have been thrown into disarray as opener Ben Duckett awaits the imminent birth of his first child. Duckett, who delayed his arrival at England's training session on Tuesday to be with his fiancée, Paige, is expected to start the match on Thursday morning. However, plans are in place for any change in the situation, with spare batter Dan Lawrence primed to swap in if Duckett is pulled away before the toss.England captain Ben Stokes confirmed that Gus Atkinson will share the new ball with Chris Woakes following the retirement of James Anderson at Lord's. Atkinson, who took 7 for 45 and 5 for 61 on debut last week, is a notable promotion for the 26-year-old. Despite his relative lack of first-class experience, Stokes has full faith in Atkinson's ability to open the bowling.Stokes believes that opening with Atkinson will have a positive knock-on effect on the rest of the bowling attack, especially with the Dukes ball behaving differently in English conditions in recent years. "He just had all the attributes of a very, very good bowler. A lot of it is to do with the Dukes ball, how it has behaved," Stokes said. "There has not actually been that much movement in the air with the new ball. It's generally been off the surface, hitting the seam, and Gus is a very good exponent of that."England will be hoping that Duckett is able to play in his home Test, but they are prepared for any eventuality. Stokes has made it clear that family comes first and that Duckett will have the full support of the team whatever decision he makes.

James Anderson, the legendary English fast bowler, may be on the cusp of retirement, but he proved on Day 2 of the first Test against West Indies that his class remains undiminished.After England established a commanding 250-run lead in the first innings, Anderson returned to the bowling crease with a vengeance. Opening the attack, he struck an early blow, dismissing West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite with a superb inswinger.Anderson's delivery was a testament to his enduring skill and experience. The ball dipped low and swung back in towards the right-handed Brathwaite, who was completely deceived. It was Anderson's 702nd Test wicket, a remarkable milestone in a career that has spanned over two decades."Top class from James Anderson," remarked Ian Bishop from the commentary box. "Finally, the good bowlers will find a way through."Anderson would strike again later in the day, picking up his 703rd wicket by dismissing Alick Athanaze. West Indies ended Day 2 on 79/6, staring at an innings defeat.However, with only four more wickets left, Anderson cannot surpass Shane Warne's tally of 708 Test wickets and become the second-highest Test wicket-taker. Muttiah Muralidharan still maintains the lead at 800 Test scalps.While Anderson's farewell game has been overshadowed by his own brilliance, another pacer has emerged as a potential star for England. 26-year-old Gus Atkinson, making his Test debut, ran through the West Indies batting, picking up seven wickets in the first innings.Atkinson's remarkable debut helped England bundle out the Windies for a paltry 121. In reply, England put up 371, courtesy of half-centuries from Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and another debutant, Jamie Smith.Atkinson had been picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2024 but did not play a game and eventually withdrew from the squad. His performance in this Test match suggests that he has the potential to become a world-class bowler.As Anderson prepares to bid goodbye to Test cricket, the emergence of Atkinson provides a glimmer of hope for the future of English fast bowling.

Gus Atkinson, making his Test debut for England, stole the spotlight on the first day of the Lord's Test against the West Indies. The 26-year-old seamer claimed an astonishing seven wickets for 45 runs, overshadowing the farewell of legendary James Anderson.Atkinson's remarkable figures, including a triple wicket-maiden, are the second best by an England bowler on a Test debut behind Dominic Cork's 7 for 43 against the West Indies at Lord's in 1995.The West Indies, playing with an inexperienced top order, were skittled out for a mere 121 runs. Only debutant Mikyle Louis (27) managed to reach the 20s.Atkinson's brilliance began in the 35th over when he dismissed Alick Athanaze, Jason Holder, and Joshua Da Silva in quick succession. His accuracy and challenging line and length proved too much for the West Indian batsmen.Earlier, England captain Ben Stokes opted to field after winning the toss. Anderson, playing his final Test, was unable to make an early breakthrough, but Atkinson struck with his second delivery to dismiss Kraigg Brathwaite.Zak Crawley (76) and Ollie Pope (57) then led England's response with well-crafted half-centuries. Crawley was on track for a century before being bowled by Jayden Seales.At the close of play, England were 189 for 3, establishing a lead of 68 runs. The hosts will look to build on their strong position on day two and secure a victory in Anderson's farewell Test.

England's Test squad for the first match against West Indies at Lord's has undergone significant changes, with three debutants set to make their mark. Surrey's Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith will make their Test debuts, while offspinner Shoaib Bashir will play his first home Test.Atkinson, a promising pace bowler, has impressed with his speed and consistency for Surrey. He has been earmarked as a long-term option for England's pace attack, and his selection is a testament to his potential. Smith, a wicketkeeper-batsman, has been in excellent form for Surrey this season, scoring two centuries and averaging over 50 in the County Championship. He will take over the gloves from Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow, who have been dropped from the squad.Bashir, who made his Test debut in India earlier this year, has been rewarded for his impressive performances with a home debut. He has shown great control and accuracy with his offspin, and his selection ahead of Jack Leach indicates England's faith in his abilities.Chris Woakes also returns to the XI after missing the India series. His all-round abilities provide balance to the team, and he is expected to play a key role in England's transitional period with the impending retirement of James Anderson.The England XI for the first Test against West Indies is as follows:1. Zak Crawley2. Ben Duckett3. Ollie Pope4. Joe Root5. Harry Brook6. Ben Stokes (capt)7. Jamie Smith (wk)8. Chris Woakes9. Gus Atkinson10. Shoaib Bashir11. James Anderson

Surrey's Gus Atkinson made a significant impact on his return to competitive cricket, claiming three crucial wickets to help his team fight back against Somerset. After a quiet start to the season, Atkinson's performance showcased his potential as a rising star in English cricket.Atkinson's first spell was slightly underwhelming, but he found his rhythm in his third spell, dismissing Tom Banton and James Rew in quick succession. His third wicket, that of Kasey Aldridge, was a sharp short ball that ballooned to slip. Atkinson's pace and accuracy proved too much for Somerset's middle order, which collapsed after the dismissal of Tom Lammonby for 100.Lammonby's century was a highlight for Somerset, but his dismissal triggered a collapse that saw the visitors lose six wickets for 15 runs. Lewis Gregory's 50 helped Somerset reach 285, but Surrey's openers, Dom Sibley and Ryan Patel, reduced the deficit to 243 runs by the close of play.Atkinson's performance has reignited discussions about his potential for England selection. Rob Key, England's managing director, has identified him as one of the young seamers who could strengthen the Test team. Atkinson's name is also being mentioned for the T20 World Cup, but he may be kept in reserve until the Test summer begins in July.Surrey's fightback was also aided by the legspin of Cameron Steel, who took four wickets, including that of Craig Overton. Steel's nine wickets this season have come at an impressive average of 8.33.