Seamer Gus Atkinson Exacerbates the English team's Injury Concerns.
'Serious blow' for the English camp after Atkinson is forced off due to a hamstring issue.
Gus Atkinson further complicated the fitness woes of the England squad when he left the field on the second morning of the Boxing Day Test against Australia.
The right-arm seamer experienced discomfort in his left hamstring immediately following a delivery that he bowled during the morning session.
Team management stated Atkinson reported "discomfort" and would spend time on the sidelines for further assessment "over the next few hours".
The final Test of the series in Sydney starts on Sunday, 4 January.
England have previously lost key quicks one seamer due to knee trouble and another paceman because of a side injury on the current trip.
A replacement bowler was added to the party as injury reinforcement.
Atkinson struggled early in the series, claiming a mere three wickets.
He was dropped of the third Test, then recalled for the Boxing Day match to fill the void.
Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, bagging two scalps in Australia's first innings, then making 28 while batting among just a trio of England players to get into double digits.
After bowling one over late on the first day, he came back for the second day's play and dismissed the nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper.
Yet, on the final ball of that over, he bowled a variation to Travis Head and suddenly grabbed for his hamstring.
Gus Atkinson was brought back for the Boxing Day Test after being left out the Adelaide game.