Gus Atkinson ruled out of Australia ODIs, Olly Stone named replacement

England National Cricket Team have made a massive change to their squad for the upcoming ODI series against Australia National Cricket Team. Pacer Gus Atkinson has been rested for the five-match series between the teams that will begin on 19th September.

Atkinson was part of the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka National Cricket Team, which England National Cricket Team won by the margin of 2-1. The fast bowler has been consistently playing Test cricket for the team this summer.

Gus Atkinson made his debut for England in Tests against the West Indies National Cricket Team. However, since then has been playing cricket continuously. The fast bowler also has been performing magnificently for the team as he picked plethora of wickets for the team.

Not only this, he also slammed a century with the bat. The fast bowler has been the major reason behind the win of the team in the Tests in series against West Indies and Sri Lanka. He initially was also added to the team for the ODI series against the Australia National Cricket Team and it was expected he would play.

However, just a few days ahead of the series, the England and Wales Cricket Board released an official statement. The cricketing body stated that Gus Atkinson will be rested from the five-match ODI series against the Australia National Cricket Team.

The statement from England and Wales Cricket Board read: "Surrey and England seamer Gus Atkinson will be rested for the upcoming Metro Bank Men's ODI series against Australia."

Gus Atkinson reportedly injured, England name Olly Stone as his replacement

However, as per the reports, it is learned that Gus Atkinson has been battling a quad injury which he faced in the last Test against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team. The reports claimed that although England have rested him officially but the pacer hasn't been deemed fit to play.

England have withdrawn Gus Atkinson from their squad for the ODIs against Australia, effectively ending his summer. Officially he's rested but he's had a quad injury at the Oval. Olly Stone added to the squad.

— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) September 9, 2024

Atkinson has played nine ODIs for England, picking up 11 wickets at 35.27. The last of those came against the West Indies on their tour to the Caribbean in late 2023. With the kind of form he has been in, his absence will be a massive blow for the team in the series.

In his place, the England National Cricket Team have added Olly Stone to the squad for the five-match ODI series against Australia. The pacer was also part of the Test series against Sri Lanka. He has played 8 ODIs for the team and has taken 8 wickets and would want to make the most of the opportunities.

Here's England's updated squad for the five-match ODI series against Australia National Cricket Team.

Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Reece Topley, John Turner and Olly Stone.