🔗 Share this article Fast bowler Atkinson Exacerbates England's Fitness Problems. 'Serious blow' for the touring side as Atkinson leaves the field with a hamstring injury. Gus Atkinson increased the injury concerns plaguing England when he left the field early on day two in the Melbourne Test in the Ashes series. The right-arm seamer experienced discomfort in his left leg immediately following a delivery in his spell during the morning session. Team management stated Atkinson had experienced "tightness" and required time away from the action in order to be assessed "during the day". The final Test of the series beginning on 4 January begins at the end of the week. The visitors have previously lost strike bowlers Mark Wood to a knee injury and Jofra Archer with an abdominal strain during this series. A replacement bowler was brought into the squad as injury reinforcement. Atkinson struggled during the first two matches, claiming a mere a handful of scalps. He was left out for the Adelaide match, then recalled for the fourth Test as Archer's replacement. The county bowler performed better in the fourth Test, taking two wickets in Australia's first innings, then making 28 with the bat being one of only three English batsmen who passed ten runs. After bowling one over in Australia's second innings, he came back the next day and had nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper. Yet, on the final ball of the fifth over, he sent down a variation to Travis Head and immediately felt at his leg. The English bowler was recalled for the Melbourne match after being left out the Adelaide game.