Overview
- Atkinson was struck on the helmet twice by England team‑mate Josh Tongue at Trent Bridge and later failed a concussion assessment after retiring hurt on 27.
- Surrey activated the concussion‑substitute rule, bringing in Reece Topley as a full replacement who could bat and bowl in the County Championship match.
- Topley’s appearance marked his first red‑ball outing in four years, and he added a brief nine-ball 12 after coming in as the designated No. 12 batter.
- Under concussion protocols, Atkinson is ineligible for Surrey’s next fixture at Yorkshire, reducing his red‑ball tune‑up before England face New Zealand in early June.
- Tongue finished Surrey’s innings with figures of 4‑89, Surrey posted 449 for a 34‑run lead, and coach Gareth Batty said Atkinson felt okay on the field before later testing ruled him out.