The Hundred 2024: ECB pulls Gus Atkinson out of final encounter

Gus Atkinson will not be available for Oval Invincibles in The Hundred 2024 final at Lord's, London on Sunday, August 18 after the ECB has pulled him out of the summit clash ahead of England's three-match home Test series against Sri Lanka, starting Wednesday, August 21.

Atkinson had a dream debut Test series last month as he scalped 22 wickets against the West Indies across three matches and won the Player of the Series award. In The Hundred 2024, the right-arm pacer played only one game, against Trent Rockets, and recorded figures of 0/28 off 10 balls. 

"Gus has been withdrawn, which is quite understandable.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," Sam Billings, the Invincibles' captain, was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

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The Invincibles will also be deprived of the services of Spencer Johnson, who is out due to injury, but Tom Curran will return after being rested on Wednesday.

England's red-ball skipper Ben Stokes recently tore his hamstring while playing for Northern Superchargers. As a result, he has been ruled out for the rest of the summer. ECB subsequently withdrew Chris Woakes from the tournament, though Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett (both Birmingham Phoenix) and Jordan Cox (Invincibles) are available this weekend ahead of the first Test. The cricket-governing body is taking a safety-first approach after Stokes' injury as they are getting set for a busy cricketing schedule in the coming months.

"Jordan will be available and I think that's great for him. I've been in that position before where as a young player, you get withdrawn and miss out on playing time.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," Billings said.

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Southern Brave speedster Jofra Archer is being managed carefully after long spells on the sidelines with back and elbow issues. He is expected to be available for both Saturday's eliminator against Birmingham Phoenix at the Kennington Oval and also the final at Lord's if James Vince's side qualifies. Archer was rested for two games in the league phase to manage his workload but Vince is hopeful that his talismanic bowler will be allowed to partake in the business end of the tournament.

"I've not heard otherwise, so I'm hoping that's the case. 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," Vince stated.