England fast bowler Gus Atkinson expressed his excitement about playing under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, highlighting that the team’s Test performance aligns perfectly with his game.
Ahead of a crucial five-match Test tour in India, England’s Gus Atkinson, yet to make his Test debut, is optimistic about the team’s playing style aligning with his strengths. Having impressed with 20 wickets in last summer’s County Championship, the fast bowler’s raw pace secured him a spot alongside James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, and Mark Wood in the India tour starting January 25.
Excited to play under Ben Stokes and Baz McCullum, Atkinson emphasized the importance of the upcoming India tour, expressing his eagerness to contribute and aspiring to achieve success in the weeks to come.
“It’s been really good. Now I’m looking forward to playing under Ben Stokes and Baz McCullum. The way the Test team have been playing suits my game perfectly. I’m very excited about what lies ahead. India and the Ashes are the two tours you most want to go on and it would be incredible to win over the next few weeks,” Atkinson said.
Atkinson also reflected on his journey, attributing his natural pace to the rhythm of his run-up and a flexible arm, debunking concerns about exerting excessive force on his body. Speaking to the Daily Mail before England’s pre-tour camp in Abu Dhabi, Atkinson credited Surrey for instilling confidence in him, recalling how they recognized his potential even when he doubted it.
‘Surrey have been very good to me. They saw in me what I didn’t early on. Alec Stewart says he remembers the first time he saw me bowling before I signed and that I had something about me and could get real pace off the wicket. People at the club would tell me they wanted me to go all the way, to play in all formats and be picked by England. I’d say, ‘Well yes, obviously I want to, that’s my dream. Maybe it will happen one day.’ But for it all to happen now is not something I would have expected 12 months ago,” he added.
In his first-class cricket journey, Atkinson has secured 45 wickets across 14 matches with an average of 26.64. Reflecting on his cricket path, Atkinson fondly remembered his late mother Caroline, who tragically lost her life in a 2020 car crash. Now in a special position, he credited his mother’s encouragement for shaping his cricketing path, making it a meaningful and cherished journey.
Last Updated on January 13, 2024
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