Seamer Atkinson Exacerbates England's Injury Worries.
'Serious blow' for England as Atkinson is forced off with a hamstring injury.
The English seamer added to the fitness woes of the England squad after leaving the ground during Saturday's play of the fourth Ashes Test versus the Australians.
Atkinson pulled up with his left hamstring immediately following a delivery in his spell at the MCG.
Team management stated the 27-year-old reported "discomfort" and required time on the sidelines in order to be assessed "during the day".
The final Test of the series at the SCG begins this coming Sunday.
England have been without strike bowlers one seamer with a knee problem and another paceman with an abdominal strain on this Ashes tour.
Matthew Fisher was brought into the squad to provide backup.
His form was underwhelming in the opening two Tests, claiming a mere a handful of scalps.
He was omitted for the Adelaide match, then recalled for the Boxing Day match as Archer's replacement.
Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, bagging two scalps in Australia's first innings, and scoring 28 runs as a batsman being one of only three England players who passed ten runs.
Following a brief spell late on the first day, he resumed for the second day's play and dismissed the nightwatchman edging to the keeper.
However, at the end of the fifth over, he bowled a slower ball to Travis Head and promptly felt his left hamstring.
Atkinson was brought back for the fourth Ashes Test after being left out the Adelaide game.
