Paceman Atkinson Exacerbates England's Fitness Worries.

The pace bowler increased England's injury problems upon exiting the playing area during Saturday's play in the Melbourne Test in the Ashes series.

The right-arm seamer pulled up with his hamstring immediately following a delivery of the fourth over during the morning session.

The England team reported Atkinson reported "discomfort" and was to take time on the sidelines to undergo evaluation "over the next few hours".

The series decider of the tour in Sydney starts on Sunday, 4 January.

The English side has previously lost key quicks one seamer to a knee injury and Jofra Archer because of a side injury during this series.

Matthew Fisher was called up to provide backup.

His form was underwhelming early in the series, taking just three wickets.

He was left out from the previous Test, only to be brought back for the Melbourne Test as Archer's replacement.

Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, taking two wickets in Australia's first innings, before adding 28 as a batsman among just a trio of English batsmen who passed ten runs.

Post a single over at the end of day one, he returned the next day and had nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper.

Unfortunately, at the end of that over, he bowled a change of pace to the batsman and promptly felt his left hamstring.