England have suffered a major blow in their preparations for a big home summer after Gus Atkinson pulled up with a hamstring injury, in the curtain raiser four-day Test against Zimbabwe contested from May 22 to 24. The right-arm quick claimed 2/58 in the first innings to help force a Zimbabwe follow-on but only managed six overs in the second go-around before leaving the field for scans on the morning of Day 3. The affliction has already ruled Atkinson out of the three-match ODI series against West Indies, slated to start on May 29 in Birmingham, with the hope that the 27-year-old recovers in time for the India edeavour.

"He will now undergo a period of rehabilitation under the supervision of the England medical team," an ECB spokesperson was reported saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

The hosts have chosen not to replace Atkinson in the squad, having already called up a replacement in Luke Wood after Jofra Archer was ruled out with a thumb injury. Wood joins a pace contingent of Brydon Carse, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Potts, and Jamie Overton.

Potts and Carse are expected to be named for the India Tests too, the latter returning from a toe-injury, along with Josh Tongue and Chris Woakes who will play in the warm-up games for England Lions against the tourists to brace for the challenge. Barring Woakes, Atkinson is expected to be the most experienced quick in the contingent with 55 scalps in 12 Tests, with the duo leading the charge in red-ball for England since the retirement of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. 

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