Following a crushing 336-run defeat at Edgbaston against India, England has called up fast bowler Gus Atkinson to join their squad for the third Test at Lord's, starting on July 10. The loss exposed vulnerabilities in England's bowling attack, prompting the team management to seek fresh options to revitalize their chances in the series.

Atkinson's inclusion is seen as a direct response to both injury concerns and the underwhelming performance of England's seamers in the second Test. Brydon Carse is currently nursing a toe injury, and with questions surrounding the fitness of other pacers, Atkinson provides a dynamic and potent option for the team.

The 27-year-old Surrey fast bowler returns to the Test squad after recovering from a right hamstring injury sustained in May during a match against Zimbabwe. This injury had sidelined him for the first two Tests against India, as well as the ODI series against the West Indies. Now fully recovered, Atkinson is eager to make an impact.

In his previous 12 Test matches, Atkinson has proven to be a valuable asset, claiming 55 wickets at an average of 22.31, including three five-wicket hauls. Known for his extra pace and bounce, Atkinson's ability to trouble top-order batsmen makes him particularly well-suited to the conditions at Lord's, where fast bowlers often find favorable conditions.

England opted for an unchanged XI in the second Test, a decision that backfired as India leveled the series with a dominant performance. India's victory was comprehensive, with Shubman Gill leading the charge with the bat, scoring 269 runs in the first innings and 161 in the second. Akash Deep's impressive 10-wicket haul and Mohammed Siraj's seven wickets further contributed to India's success.

The English bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batting lineup, with only Shoaib Bashir managing to pick up three wickets in India's first innings. In response, England's batting faltered, with only Harry Brook and Jamie Smith offering significant resistance.

With the series now level at 1-1, the inclusion of Atkinson could provide the spark England needs to regain the upper hand. His ability to generate pace and extract bounce could be a game-changer, especially at Lord's. The composition of the final XI remains to be seen, but Atkinson's presence undoubtedly adds depth and firepower to England's bowling attack.

England's coach and captain have been encouraging the bowlers to bowl fuller and prioritize wickets, deviating from conventional Test match cricket. This aggressive approach, combined with Atkinson's natural abilities, could create a formidable force that can challenge the Indian batsmen and potentially alter the course of the series.

The England squad for the third Test includes: Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, and Chris Woakes.