🔗 Share this article Seamer Atkinson Compounds England's Fitness Problems. 'Significant concern' for the English camp as Atkinson leaves the field due to a hamstring issue. The pace bowler further complicated the fitness woes of the England squad upon exiting the field early on day two of the Boxing Day Test versus the Australians. Atkinson felt a problem in his hamstring immediately following a delivery that he bowled on Saturday. The touring camp stated the 27-year-old felt some "soreness" and was to take time on the sidelines for further assessment "during the day". The concluding match of the series in Sydney begins on Sunday, 4 January. The English side has already lost strike bowlers one seamer to a knee injury and Jofra Archer to a side strain during this series. A replacement bowler was called up to provide backup. Atkinson struggled early in the series, managing only three wickets. He was left out from the previous Test, then recalled for the Boxing Day match in the playing XI. Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, taking two wickets in Australia's first innings, and scoring 28 runs with the bat being one of only three England players who passed ten runs. Following a brief spell at the end of day one, he resumed the next day and dismissed the nightwatchman Scott Boland caught behind. Yet, on the final ball of that over, he delivered a slower ball to the batsman and immediately felt at his leg. Gus Atkinson returned to the side for the Melbourne match having missed the previous Test.