Seamer Gus Atkinson Exacerbates the English team's Injury Concerns.

'Major setback' for the touring side as Atkinson leaves the field with a hamstring injury.

The pace bowler further complicated the fitness woes of the England squad after leaving the field on the second morning of the Boxing Day Test in the Ashes series.

The right-arm seamer felt a problem in his left leg after the final ball that he bowled during the morning session.

Team management stated the 27-year-old had experienced "tightness" and was to take time on the sidelines for further assessment "over the next few hours".

The series decider of the tour beginning on 4 January starts on Sunday, 4 January.

The English side has been without fast bowlers one seamer with a knee problem and Jofra Archer with an abdominal strain on this Ashes tour.

A replacement bowler was brought into the squad to provide backup.

His form was underwhelming early in the series, claiming a mere three wickets.

He was dropped for the Adelaide match, only to be brought back for the Melbourne Test to fill the void.

Surrey's Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, bagging two scalps during the host's first knock, then making 28 as a batsman among just a trio of England players to reach double figures.

Post a single over late on the first day, he resumed for the second day's play and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper.

Yet, on the final ball of that over, he bowled a change of pace to Travis Head and promptly felt his left hamstring.