Gus Atkinson: the potential game-changer for England in Stokes' absence

Debayan Sinha

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

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England has produced many remarkable all-rounders, with Ben Stokes consistently proving his worth. However, as Stokes nears 35 and grapples with recurring injuries, the Three Lions have found promise in Gus Atkinson but the question remains: can he truly carry Stokes' enduring legacy?

‌From the birthplace of cricket, where legends are made and the game’s roots run deep, England has long been home to cricketing brilliance. While the country has produced world-class batters and bowlers through the ages, its true magic lies in its all-rounders—players who can change a game with both bat and ball. From the iconic W.G. Grace, who laid the foundation, to the fierce brilliance of Sir Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff’s towering presence, and the modern-day heroics of Ben Stokes, England's all-rounders personify the grit, flair, and versatility that define the sport’s finest moments.

For legendary players who push the game to its limits, injuries are an inevitable part of the journey. And for Ben Stokes, injuries have been a relentless and unfortunate companion, haunting him for nearly a decade. 

 

 

His first major setback came in 2013 during the Ashes, where he fractured his finger while fielding in Adelaide. From there, a series of injuries followed: a knee injury while bowling during the ODI series in Bangladesh in 2016, a side strain in the 2018 Test against India, and a shoulder injury sustained during the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Each injury tested his resilience, forcing him to adapt his game while continuing to contribute to England’s success. Moreover, his persistent injuries continue to date, creating the need for someone else to fill in the big shoes.

Enter Gus Atkinson. Not a prodigy, but a domestic standout, his performance in domestic games has been very modest. Atkinson began his journey in the Under-14 County Championship, with one wicket and 18 runs, and had a similarly quiet Under-15 season. He showed some improvement by Under-17, taking three wickets and scoring 63 runs. In the Second Eleven Championship, he played 23 games, taking 18 wickets and scoring 331 runs, displaying flashes of talent but lacking consistency. His professional debut for Surrey in the Bob Willis Trophy on August 8, 2020, saw him score 16 runs and take three wickets. 

But it was not until 2024 that Atkinson received his Test cap on England’s tour of the West Indies and the all-rounder instantly shone on the big stage. His debut at Lord’s on July 10, 2024, was historic, with match figures of 12/106—the best by an England debutant in 134 years. Less than two months later, he returned to the ground against Sri Lanka to notch up his maiden first-class century, reaching 100 in just 103 balls. This remarkable feat made him one of only six players to score a century at Lord's while taking five wickets in an innings and ten in a match. Atkinson has thus already proven his mettle with the ball and bat just a few Tests into his career but considering Stokes’ legacy, he still has a long way to go. Well, the only way to understand and deep dive into their career is to know where the numbers are. 

Ben Stokes, with a solid Test batting average of 35.75, has consistently proven his ability to contribute in challenging situations. His adaptability and experience make him a crucial figure in the team’s middle order. On the other hand, Gus Atkinson, still early in his career, has scored 202 runs with an average of 25.25, which shows he has room for improvement to match Stokes’ level of impact. To fill Stokes' shoes, Atkinson will need to develop into a more reliable middle-order option. Interestingly, when Stokes had played 12 innings, he had 279 runs at an average of 25.36, a number quite similar to Atkinson’s current figures.

 

Stokes stood at the edge of the pitch, the weight of his injury worries looming over him. However, we can't overlook his spectacular comeback against India. Stokes made a triumphant return to the cricketing arena during the India series, where the crowd in Dharamsala witnessed his first delivery in over a year—a ball that left Rohit Sharma in disbelief as he was dismissed.

 

Stokes, with 203 wickets in 105 Test matches at a bowling average of 32.04, has solidified himself as a valuable all-rounder in England's cricket history. His contribution with both bat and ball has made him an indispensable asset to the team, especially in pressure situations. His ability to turn games with a key breakthrough, such as dismissing top-order batsmen in crucial moments, adds significant value to his role.

However, his bowling average of 32.04 reflects that Stokes, though capable of taking wickets, hasn’t always been England’s leading bowler. His role as an all-rounder means his bowling load is often secondary to frontline bowlers, and injuries have at times affected his ability to bowl consistently. Nonetheless, 203 wickets in over 100 matches is a respectable feat, showcasing his longevity and adaptability in different conditions.

Gus Atkinson's emergence has been unmistakable, as he has recently demonstrated exceptional bowling skills. Though he is still at the outset of his Test career, he has already exhibited remarkable promise. In just six matches, Atkinson has claimed 34 wickets at an impressive bowling average of 20.17. This early statistical excellence signals a bowler with immense potential. His ability to take wickets at a quicker rate and lower average than Stokes suggests that he could evolve into a key frontline bowler for England.

With all the stats and comparison, one can conclude that Atkinson is still evolving as a complete cricketer, especially on the batting front. While his bowling has been his standout feature, improving his batting, especially in terms of consistency and strike rate, would further solidify his role as a future all-rounder. With time and experience, Atkinson could become a reliable option to fill Stokes' role when necessary, offering a balance between bowling and batting contributions.

The true challenge for Atkinson will be how well he adapts to varying playing conditions. His performance in the series against Pakistan has been fairly decent with the ball; he took four wickets and scored two runs in the first Test but was subsequently dropped for the second Test. Meanwhile, Stokes made his return in the second Test at Multan, scoring 37 runs but failing to take any wickets.

Based on the statistics and data, it’s clear that Atkinson has emerged as a talented bowler, showcasing his skills effectively. However, as the great Sourav Ganguly aptly titled his autobiography, “A Century is Not Enough!”—Atkinson must also concentrate on improving his batting if he hopes to establish himself as a genuine bowling all-rounder. Ultimately, only time will reveal if Atkinson can successfully succeed Stokes shortly.

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