Seamer Gus Atkinson Exacerbates the English team's Injury Worries.
'Serious blow' for England as Atkinson is forced off with a hamstring injury.
The English seamer increased the fitness woes of the England squad upon exiting the field early on day two in the Melbourne Test in the Ashes series.
The right-arm seamer experienced discomfort in his left leg immediately following a delivery of the fourth over on Saturday.
The England team indicated the 27-year-old had experienced "tightness" and required time away from the action to undergo evaluation "during the day".
The series decider of the tour beginning on 4 January starts on Sunday, 4 January.
England have previously lost fast bowlers Mark Wood to a knee injury and another paceman with an abdominal strain on this Ashes tour.
Matthew Fisher was brought into the squad as cover for Wood.
Atkinson struggled early in the series, managing only a handful of scalps.
He was left out from the previous Test, before being recalled for the fourth Test as Archer's replacement.
Surrey's Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, bagging two scalps in Australia's first innings, and scoring 28 runs as a batsman being one of only three teammates to reach double figures.
Following a brief spell in Australia's second innings, he returned on Saturday morning and dismissed the nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper.
Unfortunately, on the final ball of his spell, he delivered a change of pace to Travis Head and promptly felt at his leg.
The English bowler was brought back for the Boxing Day Test after being left out of the third.
