Seamer Atkinson Exacerbates the English team's Fitness Problems.
'Serious blow' for the English camp as Atkinson goes off due to a hamstring issue.
Gus Atkinson added to the fitness woes of the England squad after leaving the ground on the second morning of the Boxing Day Test against Australia.
The right-arm seamer experienced discomfort in his left leg after the final ball of the fourth over at the MCG.
The England team reported Atkinson had experienced "tightness" and required time off the field for further assessment "in the coming hours".
The series decider of the series beginning on 4 January starts this coming Sunday.
The English side has been without fast bowlers Mark Wood due to knee trouble and Jofra Archer because of a side injury during this series.
A replacement bowler was brought into the squad as injury reinforcement.
The seamer had a tough time early in the series, managing only a handful of scalps.
He was omitted from the previous Test, then recalled for the fourth Test to fill the void.
Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, claiming a couple of wickets with the ball, then making 28 as a batsman among just a trio of English batsmen to reach double figures.
Following a brief spell at the end of day one, he came back on Saturday morning and had nightwatchman Scott Boland caught behind.
Yet, towards the conclusion of his spell, he delivered a change of pace to the batsman and promptly felt at his leg.
Atkinson returned to the side for the Boxing Day Test having missed the previous Test.
