Paceman Atkinson Exacerbates the English team's Fitness Concerns.

Gus Atkinson increased the fitness woes of the England squad upon exiting the ground early on day two of the Boxing Day Test against Australia.

The right-arm seamer felt a problem in his left hamstring after the final ball that he bowled on Saturday.

The England team reported Atkinson felt some "soreness" and required time away from the action in order to be assessed "over the next few hours".

The concluding match of the series beginning on 4 January begins on Sunday, 4 January.

England have already lost key quicks one seamer due to knee trouble and another paceman to a side strain on this Ashes tour.

Matthew Fisher was added to the party to provide backup.

The seamer had a tough time in the opening two Tests, managing only three wickets.

He was omitted from the previous Test, before being recalled for the fourth Test in the playing XI.

Surrey's Atkinson improved at the MCG, bagging two scalps with the ball, before adding 28 as a batsman as one of just three English batsmen to reach double figures.

Following a brief spell late on the first day, he came back the next day and had nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper.

However, at the end of his spell, he bowled a change of pace to the batsman and suddenly grabbed his left hamstring.