Seamer Gus Atkinson Compounds England's Fitness Concerns.

'Major setback' for England after Atkinson goes off with a hamstring injury.

The English seamer added to the injury concerns plaguing England after leaving the ground early on day two of the Boxing Day Test versus the Australians.

Atkinson felt a problem in his left hamstring after the final ball of the fourth over at the MCG.

The England team indicated the 27-year-old felt some "soreness" and would spend time away from the action for further assessment "during the day".

The series decider of the series beginning on 4 January begins this coming Sunday.

England have previously lost strike bowlers one seamer with a knee problem and another paceman with an abdominal strain during this series.

A replacement bowler was called up to provide backup.

His form was underwhelming during the first two matches, claiming a mere a handful of scalps.

He was omitted from the previous Test, only to be brought back for the Boxing Day match as Archer's replacement.

The county bowler showed better form in Melbourne, bagging two scalps in Australia's first innings, and scoring 28 runs with the bat being one of only three English batsmen to reach double figures.

Following a brief spell at the end of day one, he resumed for the second day's play and dismissed the nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper.

Unfortunately, on the final ball of the fifth over, he bowled a slower ball to Travis Head and suddenly grabbed at his leg.