Seamer Atkinson Exacerbates England's Injury Problems.
'Serious blow' for the touring side as Atkinson goes off suffering a hamstring problem.
Gus Atkinson increased England's injury problems upon exiting the field on the second morning of the Boxing Day Test against Australia.
The pace bowler pulled up with his hamstring immediately following a delivery in his spell on Saturday.
The England team reported Atkinson had experienced "tightness" and required time on the sidelines to undergo evaluation "during the day".
The final Test of the series at the SCG begins at the end of the week.
The visitors have been without fast bowlers Mark Wood to a knee injury and another paceman because of a side injury on the current trip.
Matthew Fisher was called up as injury reinforcement.
Atkinson struggled early in the series, claiming a mere a handful of scalps.
He was dropped from the previous Test, then recalled for the fourth Test to fill the void.
Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, claiming a couple of wickets with the ball, then making 28 while batting as one of just three English batsmen to reach double figures.
Following a brief spell at the end of day one, he came back on Saturday morning and dismissed the nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper.
However, on the final ball of his spell, he bowled a slower ball to Travis Head and immediately felt his left hamstring.
Gus Atkinson was brought back for the Melbourne match having missed the Adelaide game.
