Paceman Atkinson Exacerbates the English team's Injury Worries.
'Major setback' for England as Atkinson leaves the field with a hamstring injury.
The pace bowler further complicated the fitness woes of the England squad when he left the playing area on the second morning of the Boxing Day Test in the Ashes series.
The pace bowler felt a problem in his left leg post-delivery in his spell during the morning session.
The touring camp stated Atkinson reported "discomfort" and required time off the field to undergo evaluation "during the day".
The final Test of the series beginning on 4 January gets underway at the end of the week.
The English side has been without key quicks Mark Wood to a knee injury and another paceman with an abdominal strain on this Ashes tour.
A replacement bowler was added to the party as injury reinforcement.
His form was underwhelming in the opening two Tests, claiming a mere a handful of scalps.
He was omitted of the third Test, then recalled for the Boxing Day match to fill the void.
The county bowler improved at the MCG, claiming a couple of wickets during the host's first knock, and scoring 28 runs while batting as one of just three England players to reach double figures.
Post a single over in Australia's second innings, he returned on Saturday morning and dismissed the nightwatchman edging to the keeper.
Yet, towards the conclusion of that over, he sent down a change of pace to the batsman and suddenly grabbed at his leg.
Atkinson returned to the side for the Melbourne match after being left out the previous Test.
