🔗 Share this article Seamer Gus Atkinson Exacerbates the English team's Fitness Concerns. 'Serious blow' for the touring side after Atkinson goes off with a hamstring injury. Gus Atkinson added to England's injury problems after leaving the field on the second morning in the Melbourne Test against Australia. Atkinson experienced discomfort in his hamstring after the final ball in his spell at the MCG. Team management indicated the 27-year-old reported "discomfort" and required time off the field in order to be assessed "over the next few hours". The concluding match of the series in Sydney gets underway on Sunday, 4 January. England have previously lost key quicks Mark Wood with a knee problem and another paceman because of a side injury on the current trip. A replacement bowler was called up to provide backup. Atkinson struggled during the first two matches, taking just a handful of scalps. He was left out of the third Test, then recalled for the Melbourne Test in the playing XI. The county bowler showed better form in Melbourne, taking two wickets in Australia's first innings, then making 28 with the bat among just a trio of English batsmen who passed ten runs. Post a single over in Australia's second innings, he came back for the second day's play and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper. Unfortunately, at the end of that over, he delivered a change of pace to Travis Head and immediately felt for his hamstring. The English bowler was recalled for the Boxing Day Test following his omission the Adelaide game.