Fast bowler Atkinson Exacerbates England's Injury Problems.
'Serious blow' for the English camp after Atkinson goes off with a hamstring injury.
The pace bowler further complicated England's injury problems upon exiting the field on the second morning of the Boxing Day Test in the Ashes series.
The right-arm seamer experienced discomfort in his hamstring post-delivery in his spell during the morning session.
The England team indicated Atkinson had experienced "tightness" and was to take time on the sidelines to undergo evaluation "during the day".
The concluding match of the tour in Sydney begins this coming Sunday.
The visitors have been without key quicks Mark Wood to a knee injury and another paceman with an abdominal strain on the current trip.
Matthew Fisher was called up to provide backup.
His form was underwhelming early in the series, managing only three wickets.
He was omitted of the third Test, then recalled for the Boxing Day match in the playing XI.
Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, taking two wickets during the host's first knock, before adding 28 with the bat as one of just three English batsmen to get into double digits.
Post a single over late on the first day, he came back on Saturday morning and had nightwatchman edging to the keeper.
Yet, at the end of that over, he sent down a change of pace to Travis Head and suddenly grabbed at his leg.
The English bowler returned to the side for the Boxing Day Test following his omission of the third.
