🔗 Share this article Seamer Atkinson Exacerbates England's Injury Worries. 'Serious blow' for England after Atkinson goes off due to a hamstring issue. The English seamer added to the fitness woes of the England squad upon exiting the ground early on day two in the Melbourne Test in the Ashes series. Atkinson experienced discomfort in his hamstring after the final ball that he bowled at the MCG. The England team indicated Atkinson reported "discomfort" and was to take time off the field in order to be assessed "in the coming hours". The final Test in this Ashes battle beginning on 4 January begins on Sunday, 4 January. The English side has already lost strike bowlers one seamer due to knee trouble and another paceman with an abdominal strain on the current trip. Matthew Fisher was added to the party to provide backup. The seamer had a tough time in the opening two Tests, managing only three wickets. He was dropped of the third Test, only to be brought back for the Boxing Day match as Archer's replacement. Surrey's Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, claiming a couple of wickets during the host's first knock, and scoring 28 runs while batting being one of only three England players who passed ten runs. After bowling one over in Australia's second innings, he came back the next day and removed Scott Boland Scott Boland caught behind. Yet, on the final ball of the fifth over, he bowled a slower ball to the batsman and immediately felt for his hamstring. Gus Atkinson returned to the side for the Melbourne match after being left out of the third.