Seamer Gus Atkinson Exacerbates England's Injury Worries.
'Serious blow' for the touring side after Atkinson is forced off suffering a hamstring problem.
The pace bowler increased the fitness woes of the England squad after leaving the playing area early on day two of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia.
The right-arm seamer felt a problem in his left hamstring immediately following a delivery of the fourth over at the MCG.
The touring camp stated Atkinson had experienced "tightness" and would spend time off the field to undergo evaluation "over the next few hours".
The series decider of the series in Sydney begins this coming Sunday.
England have previously lost fast bowlers Mark Wood with a knee problem and Jofra Archer to a side strain on this Ashes tour.
Matthew Fisher was brought into the squad to provide backup.
His form was underwhelming during the first two matches, managing only a handful of scalps.
He was omitted from the previous Test, only to be brought back for the Melbourne Test in the playing XI.
Surrey's Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, taking two wickets with the ball, and scoring 28 runs while batting among just a trio of teammates to get into double digits.
Following a brief spell in Australia's second innings, he came back for the second day's play and removed Scott Boland taken by the wicketkeeper.
However, towards the conclusion of his spell, he sent down a change of pace to the batsman and suddenly grabbed for his hamstring.
The English bowler was recalled for the Melbourne match having missed the previous Test.
