🔗 Share this article Paceman Gus Atkinson Adds to the English team's Fitness Problems. 'Major setback' for England after Atkinson leaves the field with a hamstring injury. Gus Atkinson increased the fitness woes of the England squad after leaving the field during Saturday's play in the Melbourne Test in the Ashes series. The right-arm seamer felt a problem in his left hamstring after the final ball that he bowled at the MCG. Team management indicated Atkinson had experienced "tightness" and was to take time off the field in order to be assessed "during the day". The series decider of the tour beginning on 4 January starts this coming Sunday. England have been without strike bowlers one seamer due to knee trouble and another paceman with an abdominal strain on this Ashes tour. Matthew Fisher was added to the party as cover for Wood. The seamer had a tough time early in the series, managing only three wickets. He was omitted of the third Test, then recalled for the Boxing Day match to fill the void. Atkinson 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. Post a single over at the end of day one, he resumed for the second day's play and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper. Yet, at the end of the fifth over, he delivered a change of pace to the batsman and promptly felt for his hamstring. Gus Atkinson was brought back for the Boxing Day Test following his omission the Adelaide game.