Oval Invincibles right-arm spinner Gus Atkinson, 26, has been withdrawn from the 2024 Hundred final by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as they continue their cautious approach following the serious injury sustained by red-ball captain Ben Stokes.

England suffered a colossal blow when Test captain Ben Stokes suffered an injury while playing for Northern Superchargers against Manchester Originals in The Hundred. While attempting to score a single, he was injured and fell to the ground clutching his left leg. He was quickly taken off the field and was later seen using crutches to walk.

After scans were carried out, it was revealed that Stokes had severely injured his left hamstring by tearing it and was ruled out of the entire competition as well as the Sri Lanka Test series. In his place, team vice-captain Ollie Pope will take charge of the team against the Sri Lanka Lions at home.

Meanwhile, Ben Stokes will attempt to make a comeback in cricket on England’s tour of Pakistan 2024, which begins on October 7 in Multan.

On Friday, it was revealed that Gus Atkinson, who only played once for Oval Invincibles in 2024 and returned with figures of 0 for 28 from 10 balls, will miss the final of The Hundred and join Chris Woakes on the list of players with whom the ECB is taking a cautious approach to avoid further injury setbacks.

Gus Atkinson’s Oval Invincibles have booked their place in the final, thanks to their brilliant performances throughout the competition. The summit clash will be played on 18 August at Lord’s Cricket Ground and the Oval Invincibles will face either Southern Brave or Birmingham Phoenix.

Gus Atkinson has retired, which is quite understandable – Sam Billings

Oval Invincibles captain Sam Billings, speaking ahead of the final, said it was understandable that the ECB would withdraw Gus Atkinson from the final ahead of the Sri Lanka Tests.

“Gus has retired, which is quite understandable,” Invincibles captain Sam Billings was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. “It’s disappointing for him, but Saqib Mahmood has been phenomenal for us throughout the tournament and he showed his class the other night. He’ll stay in the team.”

“Jordan will be available and I think that’s great for him,” Billings said. “I’ve been in that position before, when you’re a young player and you get sidelined and lose game time. For anyone, playing in a final at Lord’s in the country’s premier domestic competition, in front of a full house, is perfect preparation for international cricket.”

As well as Gus Atkinson, Oval Invincibles will also be without Spencer Johnson, who did not have a great run and then suffered an injury that ruled him out of Australia’s tour of the UK.

Coming back to Gus Atkinson, he was absolutely sensational for the England National Cricket Team in his debut Test series, which was also the last time James Anderson wore the England Test jersey.

In the series against West Indies at home, Atkinson took 22 wickets and bagged the Player of the Series award. In other news, Jofra Archer, who is also being managed by ECB, is expected to be available for both the tie and the final.