Paceman Gus Atkinson Exacerbates England's Fitness Problems.
'Major setback' for England after Atkinson is forced off with a hamstring injury.
The pace bowler increased the injury concerns plaguing England upon exiting the playing area during Saturday's play in the Melbourne Test against Australia.
Atkinson experienced discomfort in his left leg immediately following a delivery of the fourth over during the morning session.
The England team reported 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 beginning on 4 January gets underway at the end of the week.
The English side has already lost key quicks one seamer due to knee trouble and another paceman with an abdominal strain on the current trip.
A replacement bowler was added to the party as injury reinforcement.
Atkinson struggled early in the series, claiming a mere a handful of scalps.
He was omitted of the third Test, then recalled for the Melbourne Test to fill the void.
Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, bagging two scalps during the host's first knock, and scoring 28 runs with the bat as one of just three English batsmen who passed ten runs.
Following a brief spell in Australia's second innings, he came back the next day and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper.
However, at the end of the fifth over, he delivered a slower ball to Travis Head and immediately felt for his hamstring.
Gus Atkinson was brought back for the Melbourne match after being left out of the third.
