Paceman Atkinson Exacerbates England's Fitness Concerns.
'Major setback' for England after Atkinson is forced off suffering a hamstring problem.
The pace bowler added to the fitness woes of the England squad after leaving the playing area on the second morning in the Melbourne Test versus the Australians.
The pace bowler felt a problem in his hamstring immediately following a delivery that he bowled at the MCG.
The touring camp reported the 27-year-old reported "discomfort" and would spend time away from the action for further assessment "in the coming hours".
The series decider of the series in Sydney begins on Sunday, 4 January.
The visitors have been without fast bowlers Mark Wood due to knee trouble and another paceman with an abdominal strain on the current trip.
Matthew Fisher was brought into the squad as injury reinforcement.
Atkinson struggled early in the series, taking just three wickets.
He was left out from the previous Test, before being recalled for the fourth Test to fill the void.
Surrey's Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, claiming a couple of wickets with the ball, and scoring 28 runs with the bat as one of just three England players who passed ten runs.
Post a single over in Australia's second innings, he resumed on Saturday morning and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper.
Unfortunately, towards the conclusion of that over, he sent down a change of pace to the batsman and promptly felt at his leg.
Atkinson returned to the side for the fourth Ashes Test after being left out the previous Test.
