Fast bowler Gus Atkinson Exacerbates the English team's Fitness Problems.

'Major setback' for England after Atkinson is forced off with a hamstring injury.

The pace bowler added to the injury concerns plaguing England when he left the playing area on the second morning of the fourth Ashes Test versus the Australians.

The pace bowler felt a problem in his left leg immediately following a delivery of the fourth over on Saturday.

Team management reported Atkinson felt some "soreness" and required time off the field to undergo evaluation "over the next few hours".

The final Test in this Ashes battle in Sydney starts this coming Sunday.

England have already lost strike bowlers one seamer due to knee trouble and Jofra Archer because of a side injury on this Ashes tour.

Matthew Fisher was brought into the squad to provide backup.

The seamer had a tough time early in the series, claiming a mere a handful of scalps.

He was omitted for the Adelaide match, then recalled for the fourth Test as Archer's replacement.

The county bowler performed better in the fourth Test, claiming a couple of wickets in Australia's first innings, and scoring 28 runs as a batsman among just a trio of England players to get into double digits.

Following a brief spell at the end of day one, he came back the next day and had nightwatchman Scott Boland caught behind.

Yet, on the final ball of that over, he sent down a variation to Travis Head and immediately felt his left hamstring.

Gus Atkinson was brought back for the Boxing Day Test after being left out the previous Test.

Erica Rice
Erica Rice

Consumer insights expert with over a decade of experience in product testing and market analysis, dedicated to helping shoppers find the best value.