🔗 Share this article Seamer Gus Atkinson Compounds the English team's Fitness Concerns. 'Major setback' for the touring side as Atkinson leaves the field with a hamstring injury. Gus Atkinson increased England's injury problems upon exiting the ground on the second morning in the Melbourne Test against Australia. The pace bowler experienced discomfort in his left leg immediately following a delivery that he bowled at the MCG. Team management indicated the 27-year-old felt some "soreness" and was to take time off the field to undergo evaluation "during the day". The concluding match of the tour in Sydney starts on Sunday, 4 January. The English side has already lost key quicks Mark Wood due to knee trouble and Jofra Archer because of a side injury during this series. Matthew Fisher was brought into the squad to provide backup. The seamer had a tough time in the opening two Tests, managing only a handful of scalps. He was dropped from the previous Test, then recalled for the Boxing Day match in the playing XI. Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, claiming a couple of wickets with the ball, then making 28 with the bat being one of only three teammates to reach double figures. After bowling one over late on the first day, he came back the next day and dismissed the nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper. However, on the final ball of that over, he bowled a slower ball to the batsman and promptly felt his left hamstring. Atkinson returned to the side for the Melbourne match having missed of the third.