Seamer Atkinson Exacerbates England's Injury Worries.
'Serious blow' for England after Atkinson leaves the field due to a hamstring issue.
Gus Atkinson increased the fitness woes of the England squad after leaving the field on the second morning of the Boxing Day Test in the Ashes series.
The pace bowler felt a problem in his left hamstring post-delivery that he bowled at the MCG.
The England team stated the 27-year-old had experienced "tightness" and required time away from the action for further assessment "over the next few hours".
The final Test of the series in Sydney begins at the end of the week.
The English side has previously lost fast bowlers Mark Wood to a knee injury and Jofra Archer with an abdominal strain on this Ashes tour.
Matthew Fisher was called up to provide backup.
His form was underwhelming early in the series, managing only three wickets.
He was dropped from the previous Test, before being recalled for the Melbourne Test as Archer's replacement.
Surrey's Atkinson improved at the MCG, taking two wickets with the ball, before adding 28 with the bat being one of only three English batsmen to reach double figures.
Post a single over at the end of day one, he returned for the second day's play and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper.
However, at the end of his spell, he sent down a slower ball to Travis Head and immediately felt at his leg.
Atkinson was brought back for the Melbourne match after being left out the previous Test.
