🔗 Share this article Seamer Atkinson Compounds England's Fitness Worries. 'Serious blow' for the English camp after Atkinson is forced off due to a hamstring issue. Gus Atkinson increased England's injury problems after leaving the field on the second morning in the Melbourne Test in the Ashes series. The pace bowler pulled up with his left leg after the final ball in his spell at the MCG. Team management reported the 27-year-old reported "discomfort" and would spend time off the field to undergo evaluation "during the day". The series decider of the tour at the SCG starts on Sunday, 4 January. The visitors have already lost strike bowlers Mark Wood due to knee trouble and another paceman to a side strain on this Ashes tour. A replacement bowler was called up as cover for Wood. The seamer had a tough time early in the series, claiming a mere a handful of scalps. He was omitted of the third Test, then recalled for the Melbourne Test as Archer's replacement. Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, taking two wickets during the host's first knock, and scoring 28 runs while batting among just a trio of England players to get into double digits. Following a brief spell late on the first day, he resumed the next day and dismissed the nightwatchman Scott Boland caught behind. Yet, at the end of that over, he sent down a change of pace to the batsman and promptly felt at his leg. The English bowler returned to the side for the Boxing Day Test following his omission the Adelaide game.