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The England national cricket team has suffered a serious injury just weeks before the start of the Test summer. Indeed, Gus Atkinson was forced to leave the field after being hit on the head twice by brutal bouncers from his own England teammate Josh Tongue.
The selectors are expected to announce the squad for the first Test of the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand this week and with Gus Atkinson expected to be selected, the setback has worried both the bowler and the team.
England are afraid of a major injury before the New Zealand Test series.
The horror incident occurred during Surrey’s County Championship match against Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club at Trent Bridge. Gus Atkinson was badly concussed after taking two serious blows to the helmet from Josh Tongue’s sharp short-pitched delivery.
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The incident has worried the England camp as both Gus Atkinson and Tongue are expected to be part of the Test squad for the upcoming home series against New Zealand in June.
Atkinson was batting for Surrey during the first innings when Tanguay began bowling unfavourably. The England fast bowler first hit a sharp bouncer on the helmet of Gus Atkinson. Medical staff immediately arrived to examine him, but after some treatment Atkinson decided to continue batting.
Gus Atkinson was hit twice by Josh Tongue’s fastball before leaving the field.
However, things became even more worrying in the next over when Tongue hit another brutal ball over the head of Atkinson. The second blow seemed even more serious, leaving everyone stunned. Despite being hit by the ball twice, Atkinson continued batting and scored 27 runs and eventually sought more medical attention on the field.
Soon afterwards, the Surrey fast bowler walked off the field and subsequently failed concussion assessment. Due to concussion protocol, Atkinson was officially ruled out of the match and replaced by Reece Topley as a substitute.
To add to the troubles, Surrey faced another injury concern during the same county match as Ollie Pope struggled with an arm problem and batted much lower down the order than usual.
England’s pace attack is in trouble ahead of the New Zealand Test series
Meanwhile, the injury scare for the England team could not have come at a worse time. He is struggling with several fitness problems in the fast bowling department even before the first Test against New Zealand starting from June 4 at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
Brydon Carse is recovering from a broken wrist, while Mark Wood is still out with a knee injury, and experienced seamer Chris Woakes has already retired from international cricket.
However, England captain Ben Stokes provided some positive news by returning to action for Durham. Stokes played his first County Championship match in almost two years and looked in good form with the ball. This all-rounder took wickets in both the innings.
The captain showed good signs, but he is recovering well after his quad injury and facial injury earlier this year. Well, Joffra Archer is also expected to play after his brilliant performance for Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing IPL 2026.
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