Gus Atkinson Caught in Club vs Country Dilemma After Surrey Omit Him from Championship Clash

England fast bowler Gus Atkinson has become the centre of a club-versus-country selection dispute after being left out of both England’s fourth Test squad against India and Surrey’s first XI for their County Championship match against Yorkshire. Instead, Atkinson will turn out for Surrey’s second XI in a four-day fixture against Somerset at the LSE Ground in New Malden.

Atkinson, 27, has not played competitive cricket since suffering a hamstring injury during England’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe in May. Though he has been fit and available since the third Test against India at Lord’s—and even made a brief return to action for Spencer CC during that match—he has not yet featured in England’s playing XI.

On Monday, Atkinson was put through an intensive fitness session at Emirates Old Trafford under the supervision of England’s physical preparation coach Peter Sim and bowling consultant Tim Southee. But with England holding a 2-1 lead in the series and the management cautious about workload and fitness, he was again left out of the squad for the fourth Test in Manchester, which begins Wednesday.

Concerns around the soft outfield at Old Trafford and the need for bowlers capable of delivering longer spells influenced the decision. England have opted to stick with Chris Woakes, who returned from injury at Lord’s and has taken seven wickets in the series at an average of 56.42.

In an effort to get Atkinson back into red-ball rhythm, England wanted him to play in the County Championship. But Surrey, who are currently topping Division One by just a single point over Nottinghamshire, have chosen not to field him in the high-stakes fixture against Yorkshire. Like England, Surrey are reluctant to rush Atkinson back into first-class cricket given his lack of recent match play and the added challenge of bowling with the Kookaburra ball this round.

Instead, the defending champions will rely on their in-form bowling attack featuring Jamie Overton, Jordan Clark, Dan Worrall, and Matthew Fisher—who has impressed recently with 10 wickets across the last two matches. Overton, who was in the England squad for the first three Tests, will be playing his first Championship game since May.

Though Atkinson is on a two-year central contract and is paid by the ECB rather than Surrey, the England management cannot compel counties to select players, even if they prefer them to get first-team game time.

In a similar case, Josh Tongue, another England pacer left out of the squad for the fourth Test, will feature for Nottinghamshire against Hampshire on days three and four at the Utilita Bowl.

Key Points:

Gus Atkinson will play for Surrey’s second XI rather than the first team.
Both England and Surrey have cited caution due to his long layoff from red-ball cricket.
Atkinson last played competitively in May and has been fit since the third Test.
England lead the five-Test series against India 2-1, with the fourth Test starting July 24 at Old Trafford.
Surrey lead the County Championship Division One standings by one point.