Fast bowler Atkinson Exacerbates England's Injury Concerns.
'Serious blow' for the English camp after Atkinson is forced off due to a hamstring issue.
The English seamer increased the injury concerns plaguing England after leaving the field during Saturday's play of the Boxing Day Test in the Ashes series.
The pace bowler experienced discomfort in his left leg immediately following a delivery of the fourth over at the MCG.
The England team indicated the 27-year-old reported "discomfort" and was to take time away from the action to undergo evaluation "over the next few hours".
The concluding match of the tour beginning on 4 January begins this coming Sunday.
The English side has been without strike bowlers one seamer due to knee trouble and another paceman to a side strain during this series.
A replacement bowler was added to the party as injury reinforcement.
Atkinson struggled early in the series, managing only three wickets.
He was left out from the previous Test, only to be brought back for the Melbourne Test to fill the void.
Surrey's Atkinson improved at the MCG, taking two wickets with the ball, then making 28 as a batsman being one of only three English batsmen to get into double digits.
Post a single over in Australia's second innings, he returned the next day and removed Scott Boland taken by the wicketkeeper.
Unfortunately, at the end of that over, he delivered a slower ball to the batsman and promptly felt his left hamstring.
Atkinson returned to the side for the Melbourne match having missed of the third.