[2][3] Described by Wisden as a "right-arm medium-pace bowler and a useful batsman in the lower order",[4] Atkinson was employed as a member of the ground staff at Trent Bridge in April 1956 after having impressed at a trial.
[5] He made his senior debut for Nottinghamshire in May the following season against the touring West Indians, although he did not take a wicket in the match.
[3] Initially employed on a three-year contract alongside a number of other young professionals, he took one wicket on his County Championship debut against Sussex at Worthing, and made two further appearances during the season.
[2] His 23 wickets taken in 1958 were expensive and he was the lowest ranked bowler in the annual bowling averages table.
Although Wisden reported in his obituary that he was "not retained" by the club,[4] Nottinghamshire's biography of him says that he declined a new contract which was offered to him, deciding instead to take up the offer of employment as a professional at the West of Scotland Cricket Club in Glasgow.