🔗 Share this article Paceman Gus Atkinson Adds to England's Fitness Concerns. 'Major setback' for England as Atkinson is forced off due to a hamstring issue. The English seamer added to the injury concerns plaguing England upon exiting the ground early on day two in the Melbourne Test against Australia. The pace bowler felt a problem in his hamstring immediately following a delivery in his spell during the morning session. The England team reported the 27-year-old reported "discomfort" and was to take time off the field in order to be assessed "during the day". The final Test of the series beginning on 4 January begins this coming Sunday. England have previously lost fast bowlers Mark Wood due to knee trouble and Jofra Archer to a side strain during this series. Matthew Fisher was added to the party as cover for Wood. The seamer had a tough time early in the series, managing only a handful of scalps. He was omitted for the Adelaide match, only to be brought back for the fourth Test to fill the void. Atkinson improved at the MCG, claiming a couple of wickets during the host's first knock, before adding 28 while batting being one of only three teammates who passed ten runs. Following a brief spell in Australia's second innings, he resumed for the second day's play and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper. Unfortunately, towards the conclusion of that over, he bowled a change of pace to Travis Head and promptly felt his left hamstring. The English bowler was brought back for the Boxing Day Test having missed of the third.