Seamer Atkinson Exacerbates the English team's Injury Problems.
'Serious blow' for the touring side after Atkinson is forced off with a hamstring injury.
The English seamer increased the fitness woes of the England squad when he left the field on the second morning of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia.
The pace bowler experienced discomfort in his left hamstring after the final ball of the fourth over on Saturday.
Team management indicated Atkinson felt some "soreness" and required time off the field to undergo evaluation "during the day".
The concluding match in this Ashes battle beginning on 4 January begins at the end of the week.
The visitors have previously lost fast bowlers one seamer due to knee trouble and Jofra Archer with an abdominal strain on this Ashes tour.
A replacement bowler was called up as injury reinforcement.
His form was underwhelming early in the series, managing only three wickets.
He was omitted from the previous Test, only to be brought back for the fourth Test in the playing XI.
Atkinson improved at the MCG, claiming a couple of wickets during the host's first knock, and scoring 28 runs with the bat as one of just three English batsmen to reach double figures.
Post a single over late on the first day, he came back the next day and had nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper.
Yet, on the final ball of that over, he bowled a change of pace to Travis Head and suddenly grabbed at his leg.
The English bowler was recalled for the Boxing Day Test having missed the Adelaide game.
