Seamer Atkinson Exacerbates England's Fitness Concerns.
'Serious blow' for the English camp after Atkinson goes off suffering a hamstring problem.
The English seamer added to the fitness woes of the England squad after leaving the field during Saturday's play of the Boxing Day Test in the Ashes series.
The right-arm seamer pulled up with his left leg immediately following a delivery of the fourth over during the morning session.
The England team indicated the 27-year-old felt some "soreness" and was to take time away from the action in order to be assessed "over the next few hours".
The concluding match in this Ashes battle at the SCG starts this coming Sunday.
The visitors have been without fast bowlers one seamer with a knee problem and another paceman because of a side injury during this series.
Matthew Fisher was called up to provide backup.
The seamer had a tough time early in the series, claiming a mere three wickets.
He was omitted from the previous Test, before being recalled for the Melbourne 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 teammates to get into double digits.
Post a single over late on the first day, he returned on Saturday morning and removed Scott Boland Scott Boland caught behind.
Yet, on the final ball of his spell, he sent down a change of pace to Travis Head and immediately felt for his hamstring.
Atkinson returned to the side for the Boxing Day Test following his omission the previous Test.