🔗 Share this article Seamer Gus Atkinson Exacerbates England's Fitness Concerns. 'Significant concern' for England after Atkinson leaves the field due to a hamstring issue. The English seamer further complicated the fitness woes of the England squad after leaving the field on the second morning in the Melbourne Test against Australia. The pace bowler pulled up with his left hamstring after the final ball in his spell on Saturday. The England team stated the 27-year-old reported "discomfort" and would spend time away from the action in order to be assessed "during the day". The concluding match of the tour beginning on 4 January starts on Sunday, 4 January. The English side has already lost strike bowlers Mark Wood with a knee problem and another paceman to a side strain on this Ashes tour. A replacement bowler was brought into the squad to provide backup. Atkinson struggled in the opening two Tests, managing only a handful of scalps. He was dropped of the third Test, before being recalled for the Melbourne Test in the playing XI. Surrey's Atkinson improved at the MCG, taking two wickets with the ball, before adding 28 as a batsman among just a trio of English batsmen who passed ten runs. Following a brief spell late on the first day, he returned for the second day's play and had nightwatchman edging to the keeper. Unfortunately, on the final ball of that over, he sent down a slower ball to the batsman and promptly felt at his leg. The English bowler was recalled for the fourth Ashes Test following his omission of the third.