Gus Atkinson throws down gauntlet to India before England's Woakes blow

The Guardian

4 days ago

Welcome to England, India. Or at least, welcome to the England you might have expected when touching down here at the start of June. Cloud cover, stoppages for rain, and seamers probing away on a green-tinged surface – the opening day at the Oval was certainly a far cry from what came before.
The problem for India, 2-1 down in the series and chasing only a share of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, was that they were the ones tasked with negotiating these new conditions after Shubman Gill lost his fifth toss in a row. By stumps, 7.30pm, the tourists had scrapped their way to 204 for six from 64 overs and Gus Atkinson was the toast of his home ground.
Figures of two for 31 from 19 overs did not tell the full story of Atkinson's return either. Arguably the most important strike witnessed came not from his brand of waspish fast-medium but a sparkling run-out of Gill for 21 in a six-over mini-session between the afternoon showers. Given the glowing form India's captain has been in this series, it felt like a defining moment.
It was a hugely self-inflicted dismissal too, Gill having dropped Atkinson into the off side with a defensive prod and set off for a single that simply never was on. Turning on his heels but already in trouble, he could only look on as Atkinson swooped in, took aim, and threw down the stumps with unerring precision. The look of anguish on Gill's face as he walked off was palpable.
Although Gill's anguish was trumped by that of Chris Woakes late on and what may well rival it by way of significance. Woakes, the only English seamer to push through all five Tests, chased a ball to the boundary only to fall awkwardly in the process. A dislocated left shoulder was the likely upshot, Woakes walking off in visible agony and his arm in a makeshift sling.
Ollie Pope, standing in for the injured Ben Stokes, now faces the prospect of juggling just fit three seamers for the remainder of the match. And while Atkinson impressed, pinning Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw for two and getting Dhruv Jurel caught in the cordon for 19, Pope will need Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton to offer more consistency than they mustered on day one.
Because as much as England were happy to pick up six wickets, there is a case to say that it should have been more. Lee Fortis, chief groundskeeper and scourge of the tourists in the buildup, had left 8mm of grass on the Oval pitch – ideal conditions to lock in on a length and let the Dukes do its thing. And yet this was something the support cast struggled to achieve at times.
Although in the case of the fast but wayward Tongue, perhaps this is missing the point. England like the point of difference he offers and, while he sprayed wides for fun in the morning, his best remains very good indeed. Tongue's two dismissals on the day, Sai Sudharsan for 38 and Ravindra Jadeja for nine, were both a case of rip-snorting deliveries being edged behind.
Overton, however, looks a curious selection on a surface that might be better suited to Matthew Potts or Sam Cook. While his speeds picked up from some initial 80mph long hopes, and some swing was harnessed, figures of nought for 66 were the weak link in the attack – a link that must be corrected swiftly if Woakes spends the remainder of the match on the sidelines.
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Atkinson appears to have picked up where he left off at least. His removal of Jaiswal with a ball that nipped was also a notable feat for his Surrey teammate, Pope, who sent a decision upstairs for the 14th time as captain and finally saw one go his way. Going by the celebrations – Pope beaming, wry smiles in the England dressing room – everyone was fully aware.
Although the removal of KL Rahul for 14 an hour into play arguably had greater value, such has been the right-hander's proficiency against the moving ball in England. Replacing Atkinson from the Pavilion End after a tight six-over opening spell, Woakes persuaded Rahul to chop on to his stumps with a bit of nip – even if it was always too tight to cut.
In the end, India were grateful to another experienced campaigner for steering them out of choppy waters. Recalled after his omission at Old Trafford, Karun Nair turned 153 for six at the fall of Jurel's wicket into a potentially promising position with a classy unbeaten 52 from 98 balls. Support here came from Washington Sundar, who made 19 not out.
England know all about Sundar, of course, but if they can open up an end in the morning then India's tail begins. But even with the forecast set to improve, and with it batting conditions, Pope will still face a tricky juggling act second time around if those fears about Woakes prove accurate.