Gus Atkinson has joined England’s lengthening injury list after leaving the field with left-hamstring soreness on the second morning at the MCG. The Surrey quick, who had just pinned nightwatchman Scott Boland lbw, felt the twinge when charging in for the final ball of his fifth over. The delivery barely crept past 61mph (98kph) and, almost before it reached Jonny Bairstow’s gloves, Atkinson was already clutching the back of his leg.
A statement followed within minutes. “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. “He will be assessed over the next few hours.”
Ollie Pope jogged on as substitute while medical staff started their checks. England can ill afford another setback. Mark Wood lasted just 11 overs of the series before a knee problem forced him home. Jofra Archer, meanwhile, has a side strain and will watch the last two Tests from the stands.
Atkinson had looked England’s liveliest bowler on day one, collecting 2 for 28 in helpful conditions. Those wickets were timely, too; a right-hamstring strain restricted him to a single Test against India last summer, and he was overlooked at Adelaide earlier this month. Brought back here to freshen the attack, he now waits on scan results instead of plotting David Warner’s dismissal.
Australia, 152 all out overnight, were wobbling at 28 for 3 when Atkinson went off. England, though, had only posted 110 themselves, so the match—and the series—remains tilted Australia’s way. Ben Stokes’ side trail 3-0 and cannot regain the Ashes, but they are still hunting World Test Championship points and, frankly, some pride.
Former international physio Craig de Kock, speaking on local radio, offered a cautious note. “Hamstring niggles are tricky in back-to-back Tests,” he said. “If there’s any tear, you’re looking at a few weeks, not days.” The scans will decide, yet history suggests England may again need to shuffle their bowling pack before the Sydney finale.
For the moment, the dressing-room door stays shut, the ice packs are out, and a nervous wait begins.
