Paceman Atkinson Exacerbates the English team's Fitness Worries.
'Major setback' for the touring side as Atkinson goes off suffering a hamstring problem.
The English seamer increased the fitness woes of the England squad upon exiting the field early on day two of the Boxing Day Test versus the Australians.
The right-arm seamer pulled up with his left hamstring immediately following a delivery that he bowled during the morning session.
The England team indicated Atkinson reported "discomfort" and was to take time on the sidelines in order to be assessed "in the coming hours".
The final Test of the series beginning on 4 January begins on Sunday, 4 January.
The visitors have been without fast bowlers Mark Wood 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.
His form was underwhelming early in the series, taking just a handful of scalps.
He was left out for the Adelaide match, then recalled for the Melbourne Test in the playing XI.
The county bowler improved at the MCG, claiming a couple of wickets in Australia's first innings, and scoring 28 runs as a batsman as one of just three English batsmen to get into double digits.
Following a brief spell late on the first day, he resumed the next day and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper.
Unfortunately, on the final ball of the fifth over, he bowled a change of pace to the batsman and suddenly grabbed for his hamstring.
Atkinson was recalled for the Melbourne match after being left out the Adelaide game.
