Paceman Atkinson Exacerbates England's Fitness Concerns.

'Major setback' for the touring side after Atkinson goes off with a hamstring injury.

The pace bowler further complicated the fitness woes of the England squad upon exiting the field on the second morning of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia.

The right-arm seamer experienced discomfort in his left leg post-delivery that he bowled at the MCG.

The touring camp indicated Atkinson had experienced "tightness" and would spend time away from the action to undergo evaluation "in the coming hours".

The concluding match in this Ashes battle beginning on 4 January starts at the end of the week.

The English side has already lost strike bowlers Mark Wood to a knee injury and another paceman because of a side injury during this series.

Matthew Fisher was added to the party to provide backup.

The seamer had a tough time early in the series, managing only three wickets.

He was omitted from the previous Test, before being recalled for the fourth Test to fill the void.

Surrey's Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, taking two wickets with the ball, before adding 28 as a batsman being one of only three England players who passed ten runs.

Following a brief spell at the end of day one, he returned on Saturday morning and dismissed the nightwatchman edging to the keeper.

Yet, towards the conclusion of that over, he sent down a slower ball to Travis Head and suddenly grabbed for his hamstring.