Paceman Gus Atkinson Exacerbates England's Injury Problems.
'Serious blow' for the English camp as Atkinson leaves the field suffering a hamstring problem.
The English seamer added to the injury concerns plaguing England after leaving the ground early on day two in the Melbourne Test against Australia.
Atkinson pulled up with his left hamstring post-delivery of the fourth over on Saturday.
Team management indicated Atkinson had experienced "tightness" and was to take time away from the action in order to be assessed "over the next few hours".
The series decider of the tour beginning on 4 January gets underway this coming Sunday.
The English side has been without key quicks one seamer with a knee problem and another paceman to a side strain during this series.
A replacement bowler was called up as injury reinforcement.
His form was underwhelming during the first two matches, claiming a mere a handful of scalps.
He was dropped for the Adelaide match, only to be brought back for the fourth Test in the playing XI.
Surrey's Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, taking two wickets in Australia's first innings, and scoring 28 runs with the bat among just a trio of teammates to get into double digits.
Following a brief spell in Australia's second innings, he resumed the next day and had nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper.
Unfortunately, on the final ball of that over, he delivered a change of pace to Travis Head and immediately felt for his hamstring.
Atkinson was brought back for the Boxing Day Test following his omission the previous Test.
