🔗 Share this article Paceman Gus Atkinson Exacerbates the English team's Fitness Problems. 'Significant concern' for England as Atkinson is forced off with a hamstring injury. Gus Atkinson further complicated the injury concerns plaguing England upon exiting the playing area during Saturday's play of the Boxing Day Test against Australia. Atkinson pulled up with his left hamstring post-delivery in his spell at the MCG. The England team stated Atkinson felt some "soreness" and was to take time off the field for further assessment "during the day". The final Test in this Ashes battle in Sydney begins at the end of the week. The visitors have previously lost fast bowlers one seamer due to knee trouble and another paceman with an abdominal strain during this series. A replacement bowler was brought into the squad to provide backup. His form was underwhelming in the opening two Tests, claiming a mere a handful of scalps. He was dropped for the Adelaide match, before being recalled for the Boxing Day match as Archer's replacement. Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, bagging two scalps during the host's first knock, before adding 28 as a batsman being one of only three English batsmen to get into double digits. Following a brief spell in Australia's second innings, he returned the next day and had nightwatchman edging to the keeper. However, at the end of the fifth over, he bowled a slower ball to the batsman and immediately felt at his leg. The English bowler returned to the side for the fourth Ashes Test after being left out the previous Test.