Paceman Atkinson Exacerbates England's Fitness Concerns.
'Major setback' for England as Atkinson goes off with a hamstring injury.
Gus Atkinson increased the injury concerns plaguing England when he left the ground during Saturday's play in the Melbourne Test in the Ashes series.
The right-arm seamer felt a problem in his left hamstring post-delivery in his spell during the morning session.
The England team indicated the 27-year-old felt some "soreness" and was to take time on the sidelines for further assessment "over the next few hours".
The final Test of the series beginning on 4 January begins at the end of the week.
England have 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 to provide backup.
His form was underwhelming during the first two matches, taking just a handful of scalps.
He was omitted for the Adelaide match, then recalled for the fourth Test in the playing XI.
Surrey's Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, bagging two scalps with the ball, then making 28 as a batsman among just a trio of teammates to reach double figures.
Following a brief spell at the end of day one, he came back the next day and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper.
Yet, towards the conclusion of that over, he delivered a variation to Travis Head and suddenly grabbed at his leg.
Atkinson returned to the side for the Boxing Day Test having missed the previous Test.
