England are willing to take no chances with workload management following skipper Ben Stokes’ injury during The Hundred. Pacer Gus Atkinson has been pulled out of the tournament ahead of the series against Sri Lanka. Earlier, the ECB pulled out Chris Woakes from the tournament just days after Stokes was injured.

England play safe after Ben Stokes injury

Atkinson, who made his Test debut against the West Indies recently, will be a frontline pacer for England in the upcoming series. With skipper Ben Stokes absent, the pacer will head into the series with a lot of expectations on his shoulders. .Atkinson’s debut series was quite impressive as he bagged 22 wickets and was also named the Player of the Series.

“Gus has been withdrawn, which is quite understandable,” Sam Billings, the Invincibles’ captain, said.

Ben Stokes suffered the injury after facing just two deliveries in the match and was forced to be helped off the field after retiring hurt. The England skipper was later on spotted in crutches and watching the game from the sidelines.

Subsequently, he was ruled out for the rest of England’s summer. He will now be joining Brendon McCullum as a coach for the time being. Ollie Pope has been named England’s captain for the series against Sri Lfanka.