Fast bowler Gus Atkinson Exacerbates England's Fitness Problems.
'Major setback' for the touring side after Atkinson is forced off with a hamstring injury.
The pace bowler increased the fitness woes of the England squad when he left the playing area during Saturday's play in the Melbourne Test in the Ashes series.
Atkinson pulled up with his hamstring after the final ball in his spell at the MCG.
The touring camp reported the 27-year-old had experienced "tightness" and required time on the sidelines for further assessment "over the next few hours".
The concluding match of the tour beginning on 4 January gets underway this coming Sunday.
The English side has been without fast bowlers Mark Wood with a knee problem and another paceman because of a side injury on the current trip.
A replacement bowler was added to the party as cover for Wood.
The seamer had a tough time during the first two matches, taking just a handful of scalps.
He was omitted from the previous Test, before being recalled for the Boxing Day match to fill the void.
The county bowler showed better form in Melbourne, taking two wickets with the ball, and scoring 28 runs while batting being one of only three England players to get into double digits.
Following a brief spell late on the first day, he returned on Saturday morning and dismissed the nightwatchman edging to the keeper.
Yet, at the end of his spell, he delivered a slower ball to Travis Head and promptly felt for his hamstring.
The English bowler returned to the side for the Melbourne match after being left out the Adelaide game.
