Atkinson leaves field clutching hamstring in latest England injury blow

Gus Atkinson left the field clutching his left hamstring early on the second day of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG in the latest injury blow for England's seam attack in Australia.

Atkinson removed nightwatchman Scott Boland early on the second morning but appeared to strain his hamstring while running in to bowl the final ball of his fifth over.

He delivered the ball at 61mph/98kph and immediately clutched his hamstring before walking down the tunnel to receive medical attention in the England dressing room, and was replaced by substitute fielder Ollie Pope. Atkinson did not return to the field after the lunch interval, and appears to be a major doubt for the fifth Test in Sydney.

"England seamer Gus Atkinson left the field after bowling his fifth over of the innings, having felt some soreness in his left hamstring," a team spokesperson said, shortly after the injury. "He will be assessed over the next few hours."

Atkinson, who took 2 for 28 from 14 overs on the opening day, was limited to a solitary Test appearance in England's home series against India this summer due to a right hamstring strain he sustained against Zimbabwe. He took three wickets in the first two Tests of the series before he was left out in Adelaide, but was recalled for the fourth Test at the MCG.

His injury is the latest blow for England's seam attack since arriving in Australia. Mark Wood, their most experienced fast bowler, managed only 11 overs in the first Test before heading home with a knee injury, while Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the final two Tests with a side strain.

England have two fast bowlers in their squad who have yet to feature in the series: Matthew Potts, who has taken 36 Test wickets and 29.44, and Matthew Fisher, who was called up as a replacement for Wood ahead of the third Test in Adelaide. Offspinner Shoaib Bashir is also yet to play a Test match in Australia.