The Ashes 2025-26: Gus Atkinson adds to England injury concerns
Gus Atkinson compounded England’s injury problems by leaving the field on the second morning of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia.
Bowler Atkinson felt his left hamstring after the last ball of his fourth over at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday.
England said the 27-year-old was feeling some “soreness” and would spend time off the field to be assessed “over the next few hours”.
The final Test of the series in Sydney will begin on Sunday, January 4 (23:30 GMT, January 3).
England lost fast bowlers Mark Wood to a knee injury and Jofra Archer to a side strain during the Ashes tour.
Matthew Fisher has been called in as Wood’s protégé. Fisher and Matthew Potts are two British sailors who have not yet appeared in the series.
Atkinson struggled in the opening two Tests of the tour, managing just three wickets.
He was left out of the third Test in Adelaide, then recalled for the Boxing Day match in Melbourne to replace Archer.
Surrey’s Atkinson stepped up at the MCG, taking two wickets in Australia’s first innings, before making 28 with the bat to become one of only three England players to reach double figures.
After bowling Australia’s second innings at the end of the first day, he returned on Saturday morning and bowled nightwatchman Scott Boland.
But at the end of the fifth over of his spell, he bowled a slower ball to Travis Head and immediately felt his hamstring.
Atkinson left the field and was replaced by Ollie Pope.
