Fast bowler Atkinson Adds to England's Fitness Concerns.
'Serious blow' for the touring side after Atkinson is forced off with a hamstring injury.
Gus Atkinson added to England's injury problems after leaving the field early on day two in the Melbourne Test in the Ashes series.
The right-arm seamer experienced discomfort in his hamstring after the final ball that he bowled during the morning session.
Team management reported Atkinson felt some "soreness" and was to take time on the sidelines in order to be assessed "in the coming hours".
The series decider of the tour at the SCG begins on Sunday, 4 January.
The English side has already lost strike bowlers Mark Wood to a knee injury and another paceman to a side strain during this series.
Matthew Fisher was brought into the squad as cover for Wood.
Atkinson struggled early in the series, taking just three wickets.
He was omitted from the previous Test, then recalled for the fourth Test to fill the void.
The county bowler improved at the MCG, claiming a couple of wickets with the ball, and scoring 28 runs while batting as one of just three English batsmen to get into double digits.
Post a single over in Australia's second innings, he returned on Saturday morning and dismissed the nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper.
Unfortunately, on the final ball of his spell, he bowled a variation to the batsman and immediately felt his left hamstring.
The English bowler was recalled for the Boxing Day Test having missed the previous Test.
