Gus Atkinson

Fast bowlers are a rare and precious commodity in cricket, particularly in England. So, when a young talent is captured on live television bowling at 95mph to Jos Buttler – the England white ball captain – it starts people talking. This blistering spell from Gus came for the OVAL INVINCIBLES in The Hundred in the summer of 2023, with ENGLAND honours following shortly afterwards.
He was first offered a professional contract by SURREY in October 2017 after impressing for the county’s Second XI the previous summer. In 2018 he showed also the potential of a future bowling all-rounder, scoring an unbeaten hundred batting at No.7 in a Second XI game.
It was in 2020 when he broke into the Surrey 1st XI, with his List A debut coming in 2021, and 13-wickets following in the Championship-winning season of 2022. His promise was evident-enough for the DESERT VIPERS to sign him for the inaugural ILT20 in 2023, a tournament in which he picked up nine wickets at an impressive economy of just over seven. It proved to be the start of a memorable year for the young fast bowler, who went on to pick up 4 for 20 against New Zealand in September, the best figures by an England men’s bowler on T20I debut. This good form – and uncommon ability to bowl at high pace – was recognised with both his selection in England’s squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India and Kolkata Knight Riders picking him up at the 2024 IPL auction.

(Profile updated 22/03/24)