Seamer Gus Atkinson Compounds England's Injury Worries.
'Serious blow' for England after Atkinson leaves the field due to a hamstring issue.
Gus Atkinson added to the injury concerns plaguing England after leaving the ground on the second morning of the Boxing Day Test versus the Australians.
The pace bowler felt a problem in his left leg post-delivery that he bowled during the morning session.
Team management reported Atkinson felt some "soreness" and was to take time on the sidelines to undergo evaluation "in the coming hours".
The series decider of the series beginning on 4 January gets underway this coming Sunday.
England have already lost strike bowlers Mark Wood due to knee trouble and Jofra Archer to a side strain during this series.
Matthew Fisher was called up as injury reinforcement.
His form was underwhelming early in the series, taking just three wickets.
He was omitted for the Adelaide match, only to be brought back for the Melbourne Test as Archer's replacement.
The county bowler improved at the MCG, bagging two scalps in Australia's first innings, then making 28 while batting among just a trio of teammates who passed ten runs.
Following a brief spell in Australia's second innings, he returned for the second day's play and had nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper.
However, on the final ball of that over, he bowled a slower ball to the batsman and suddenly grabbed for his hamstring.
The English bowler was recalled for the Melbourne match after being left out the Adelaide game.