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LONDON – England have made a strategic addition to their pace attack ahead of the third Test in the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, bringing Surrey quick Gus Atkinson into a bolstered squad for the match starting at Lord’s on July 10.

Atkinson, a right-arm fast-bowling all-rounder, returns to the Test fold after recovering from a hamstring injury. His last appearance for England came during the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in May. The call-up accompanies fellow pacemen Jofra Archer and Sam Cook, marking a shift for a side that featured an unchanged XI in the previous Test at Edgbaston.

The move comes after a dramatic 336-run defeat to India at Edgbaston, which tied the series at 1–1 and exposed England’s strained bowling resources. The seamers logged heavy workloads, with captain Ben Stokes acknowledging the challenge of recovery. “It's no secret that we have spent some time in the field and bowled some overs… we’ll have to see how everyone pulls up over the next two days,” Stokes said.

Atkinson is expected to join a 16-man squad that also includes Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Shoaib Bashir, Jamie Overton, and the recalled Archer. The fresh faces aim to ease the physical toll on the current attack and provide new energy for the crucial Lord’s Test.

India’s second Test performance, particularly with the emergence of Akash Deep and the resting of Jasprit Bumrah, underscored the urgency for England to reinforce its bowling lineup.

Head coach Brendon McCullum and Stokes have hinted at tactical adjustments. England aim to recover from the misjudged decision at Edgbaston, where opting to bowl first on a flat surface proved costly. McCullum later admitted, “We probably got it slightly wrong.”

Atkinson brings valuable experience, having debuted in July 2024 and taken 12 wickets at Lord’s, earning a spot on the iconic honours board.

As England and India gear up for the third Test, the squad shake-up reflects England’s intent to respond swiftly, inject fresh energy into their attack, and regain control of the fiercely contested series.

England Squad for the Lords' Test: