England Test trio to play in Hundred finals – but Gus Atkinson withdrawn

Three members of England’s Test squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka will play in the Hundred finals this weekend, but fast bowler Gus Atkinson has been withdrawn to protect his fitness.

The Test squad will assemble in Manchester on Saturday evening for Wednesday’s match at Old Trafford, but opener Ben Duckett, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and the uncapped batsman Jordan Cox will join late to play in the conclusion of the Hundred.

Duckett and Smith are in the eliminator with Birmingham Phoenix, who face Southern Brave at the Oval on Saturday in the hope of securing a spot in Sunday’s final at Lord’s against Cox and the Oval Invincibles. After the final, the players will travel north to train on Monday.

Atkinson also plays for the Invincibles, the reigning champions, but has had his workload managed throughout the tournament, playing just one game, and has been withdrawn from the final to mitigate risk ahead of the Test series. Atkinson enjoyed a stunning debut series against West Indies last month, taking 22 wickets at 16, to plant himself at the heart of England’s Test plans. The Oval Invincibles’ captain, Sam Billings, described the withdrawal as “quite understandable”.

The England management’s attitude to the Hundred has been more cautious since the Test captain Ben Stokes suffered a serious hamstring tear playing for Northern Superchargers on Sunday. Since then, Chris Woakes has been withdrawn from Phoenix’s run-in and Ollie Pope has been handed more time off. Pope will captain England for the first time this week, given Stokes will miss the whole series.

Nevertheless, Phoenix captain Moeen Ali and Billings agreed that it was right that the three batsmen played in the showpiece event. “I don’t see why they would be pulled out,” said Moeen, of Duckett and Smith.

Cox could replace Stokes at No 6 for England, but more likely is selecting an extra bowler, with the race between Matthew Potts and Olly Stone. Billings feels it is right that the in-form Cox keeps playing.

“Jordan will be available for the final,” he said. “That’s great for him. He’s a very exciting young player, timing the ball beautifully. I have been in that position before, where as a young player you get withdrawn and miss out on playing time. For anyone to play in a final at Lord’s of the leading domestic competition in the country in front of a packed house, is perfect preparation for international cricket. He’s a key player for us and it’s great to have him in there.”

The men’s Hundred has been low-scoring and at times low-key this year, struggling for eyeballs up against the Olympics. This weekend is the England and Wales Cricket Board’s last opportunity to impress potential investors ahead of the sale of stakes in the eight teams later this year. It is understood that, among others, the Ambani family, the richest people in Asia and owners of the Mumbai Indians IPL franchise, will attend the finals this weekend as they weigh up their involvement.

The women’s tournament continues to be a success. Oval Invincibles play London Spirit in the eliminator, with Welsh Fire awaiting the winners in the final.