Paceman Atkinson Exacerbates England's Fitness Concerns.
'Serious blow' for England as Atkinson goes off with a hamstring injury.
Gus Atkinson increased the injury concerns plaguing England after leaving the playing area during Saturday's play of the Boxing Day Test versus the Australians.
The right-arm seamer pulled up with his left hamstring immediately following a delivery in his spell on Saturday.
Team management indicated Atkinson reported "discomfort" and was to take time on the sidelines to undergo evaluation "in the coming hours".
The series decider of the tour beginning on 4 January begins on Sunday, 4 January.
England have already lost fast bowlers Mark Wood with a knee problem and Jofra Archer with an abdominal strain on the current trip.
A replacement bowler was added to the party to provide backup.
His form was underwhelming early in the series, taking just a handful of scalps.
He was dropped for the Adelaide match, only to be brought back for the Boxing Day match in the playing XI.
Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, claiming a couple of wickets in Australia's first innings, then making 28 with the bat as one of just three English batsmen to reach double figures.
Following a brief spell in Australia's second innings, he resumed the next day and had nightwatchman Scott Boland caught behind.
However, at the end of the fifth over, he bowled a change of pace to Travis Head and promptly felt for his hamstring.
Gus Atkinson was brought back for the Melbourne match following his omission the previous Test.
