🔗 Share this article Seamer Gus Atkinson Exacerbates the English team's Fitness Problems. 'Serious blow' for the English camp as Atkinson is forced off with a hamstring injury. The English seamer added to England's injury problems after leaving the playing area on the second morning in the Melbourne Test versus the Australians. The right-arm seamer pulled up with his left leg immediately following a delivery of the fourth over at the MCG. The England team stated the 27-year-old had experienced "tightness" and was to take time on the sidelines for further assessment "during the day". The series decider of the series at the SCG starts at the end of the week. England have been without key quicks Mark Wood due to knee trouble and another paceman with an abdominal strain during this series. A replacement bowler was brought into the squad as injury reinforcement. His form was underwhelming during the first two matches, taking just three wickets. He was dropped from the previous Test, then recalled for the fourth Test to fill the void. Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, taking two wickets in Australia's first innings, and scoring 28 runs while batting among just a trio of teammates to reach double figures. Post a single over late on the first day, he came back for the second day's play and removed Scott Boland Scott Boland caught behind. Unfortunately, at the end of the fifth over, he delivered a change of pace to Travis Head and suddenly grabbed his left hamstring. The English bowler returned to the side for the Boxing Day Test after being left out the Adelaide game.