Paceman Atkinson Adds to England's Injury Concerns.

The English seamer increased England's injury problems after leaving the playing area early on day two of the Boxing Day Test against Australia.

Atkinson experienced discomfort in his hamstring post-delivery that he bowled at the MCG.

The England team indicated Atkinson felt some "soreness" and was to take time off the field in order to be assessed "over the next few hours".

The series decider of the series beginning on 4 January begins at the end of the week.

The English side has already lost strike bowlers Mark Wood with a knee problem and Jofra Archer because of a side injury on this Ashes tour.

Matthew Fisher was called up as cover for Wood.

Atkinson struggled during the first two matches, taking just a handful of scalps.

He was left out from the previous Test, then recalled for the fourth Test in the playing XI.

The county bowler showed better form in Melbourne, taking two wickets during the host's first knock, before adding 28 as a batsman as one of just three English batsmen to reach double figures.

After bowling one over at the end of day one, he resumed the next day and dismissed the nightwatchman edging to the keeper.

Unfortunately, towards the conclusion of that over, he bowled a change of pace to Travis Head and suddenly grabbed his left hamstring.