The England Cricket Board (ECB) is taking a cautious approach for its players after the injury of Test skipper Ben Stokes. After pulling Chris Woakes out of The Hundred, ECB has withdrawn star pacer Gus Atkinson from the final of the competition.
Atkinson, who played only one match for his franchise Oval Invincibles, will miss the final of the tournament. The Invincibles are already in the final after topping the eight-team table and will avoid the longer route via the Eliminator.
Invincibles skipper Sam Billings confirmed the development. “Gus has been withdrawn, which is quite understandable.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,” Billings said.
His team is without pacer Spencer Johnson too who is out due to an injury. However, pacer Tom Curran will make a return to the after he was rested from Invincibles’ last group game against Trent Rockets on Wednesday, August 14.
Atkinson featured in the game against the Rockets, returning with figures of 0/28 in his 10 deliveries. Notably, the 26-year-old pacer was chosen as the Player of the Series in the England vs West Indies Test series. He had picked up 22 wickets against the Windies in what was his debut series.
Recently, the ECB had pulled out speedster Woakes from the final week of the Hundred after Stokes’ injury. Stokes, the England Test skipper who plays for Northern Superchargers, tore his hamstring in the game against Manchester Originals on August 11.
While Woakes and Atkinson have been withdrawn, Birmingham Phoenix’s Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett, as well as Invincibles’ Jordan Cox, are available despite their names being in the Test squad for the series that starts on August 21, three days after the Hundred final.
“Jordan will be available and I think that’s great for him,” Billings said. “I’ve been in that position before where as a young player, you get withdrawn and miss out on playing time.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.”
The ECB’s cautious strategy aims to manage workload and prevent further injuries, ensuring that key players remain fit and available for the crucial Test series against Sri Lanka. This series holds significant importance as England looks to solidify its stature in the international cricket arena.
It is expected that Jofra Archer will be available for Southern Brave for the knockouts. “I’ve not heard otherwise, so I’m hoping that’s the case,” Brave skipper James Vince said. “Obviously we’ve got tomorrow to take care of first, but as I understand it, he is available for both should we make the final. I can’t give you 100% confirmation because I don’t know that myself, to be honest. But there’s not much travel involved and it’s only 20 balls [per match] so I’m sure he’ll be fine,” he added.
The Invincibles are set to face the winner of the Eliminator between Birmingham Phoenix and Southern Brave. This crucial match will take place on Saturday, August 17, while the eagerly anticipated final is slated for Sunday.
The cautious withdrawal of Atkinson and Woakes is seen as a proactive move by the ECB to maintain the health and fitness of its players ahead of significant commitments. The decision reflects the board’s focus on long-term gains over short-term spectacles and underscores its dedication to ensuring that top players are in peak condition for major international fixtures.
ECB’s approach in managing player fitness and readiness is likely to set a precedent for how cricket boards globally navigate the increasingly congested cricket calendar. Balancing franchise commitments with international duties is a complex task, and the ECB’s strategy may offer valuable insights for other cricket boards. The decision will surely be scrutinized and discussed among the cricketing community, highlighting the ongoing challenges in managing player workloads in modern cricket.
In the face of these decisions, the anticipation for The Hundred final remains high, with fans eager to see who will emerge victorious in this innovative tournament. The broader implications for English cricket, particularly the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, add another layer of intrigue and importance to these developments. As always, the cricketing world will be watching closely.
