Seamer Atkinson Exacerbates England's Fitness Worries.
'Serious blow' for the touring side after Atkinson leaves the field with a hamstring injury.
Gus Atkinson increased the injury concerns plaguing England upon exiting the field during Saturday's play of the Boxing Day Test in the Ashes series.
The pace bowler pulled up with his left hamstring post-delivery of the fourth over at the MCG.
The England team reported Atkinson had experienced "tightness" and required time away from the action for further assessment "over the next few hours".
The final Test in this Ashes battle at the SCG gets underway on Sunday, 4 January.
The English side has previously lost fast bowlers one seamer with a knee problem and Jofra Archer because of a side injury during this series.
A replacement bowler was brought into the squad as cover for Wood.
The seamer had a tough time in the opening two Tests, taking just a handful of scalps.
He was dropped from the previous Test, then recalled for the Boxing Day match to fill the void.
Atkinson improved at the MCG, taking two wickets in Australia's first innings, and scoring 28 runs as a batsman among just a trio of England players to get into double digits.
Post a single over in Australia's second innings, he resumed for the second day's play and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper.
However, towards the conclusion of the fifth over, he sent down a slower ball to the batsman and immediately felt at his leg.
Gus Atkinson was brought back for the Melbourne match after being left out the Adelaide game.
