Gus Atkinson will miss next week’s final Ashes Test in Sydney after pulling up with a left-hamstring strain during England’s victory in Melbourne. The fast bowler felt the twinge on the second afternoon, walked straight off, and a subsequent scan confirmed what everyone feared – no chance of a quick turnaround before 4 January.
England have now lost three quicks on this tour – Mark Wood (knee), Jofra Archer (side strain) and, now, Atkinson – so the fast-bowling group is starting to look a little thin. Even so, the management have decided against flying in back-up. Matthew Potts is yet to play, Matthew Fisher is already with the squad after Wood flew home, and both will jostle for the vacant spot. A left-field option would be Shoaib Bashir if the selectors fancy pairing two spinners on what is usually a more docile SCG surface.
Atkinson’s injury arrived with the match finely poised. He had just completed the last ball of his fifth over in Australia’s second innings when the leg went. England still rolled the hosts for 132 and later chased 175 four down – their first away Ashes win since January 2011 – but the loss of their quickest bowler inevitably casts a shadow.
For the Surrey man there is at least the small comfort that this is the opposite leg to the right-hamstring tear that ruined last summer and forced him to miss most of the India series. He returned for the Oval finale, grabbed 5 for 33 and almost dragged England to victory with the bat, only to be last man out in a six-run defeat. Even so, the recurring nature of muscle injuries is becoming a worry.
Form on this trip has been mixed. Listed as attack leader when the squad was announced, Atkinson struggled for rhythm in Perth and Brisbane, taking three wickets in two matches at 63 apiece. He was left out at Adelaide before Archer’s setback handed him a recall at the MCG, where he looked sharper and collected three more poles on a lively pitch. Six wickets at 47.33 is not the return he – or England – had in mind.
The selectors now face a gentle puzzle. Potts is the like-for-like option: right-arm fast-medium, good with an older ball, and itching for a first Ashes cap. Fisher offers higher pace and bounce but has played only two Tests. As ever, the surface will dictate – SCG pitches have been flat of late, although there is speculation they could prepare something a touch greener after 36 wickets tumbled in six sessions at the MCG.
Ben Stokes admitted after the Melbourne win that the injury list is “frustrating but part of the job”. The captain added, “We can’t wrap bowlers in cotton wool. What we can do is plan for every eventuality and give whoever comes in the same trust we’ve given the lads all tour.”
Head coach Brendon McCullum struck a similar note, saying, “The squad knew from day one that opportunities would come for everyone. Sydney’s no different.”
Former England seamer Steven Finn, speaking on radio duty, believes Potts is the logical pick. “He’s match-hard from a long county summer, hits a heavy length and doesn’t go round the park. On a flat deck you want control,” Finn said.
Australia, already 3-1 up and retaining the urn, will sense a chance to inflict more pain. Pat Cummins confirmed after Melbourne that “we won’t be easing off” and hinted the home side could rotate their own seamers, with Scott Boland “knocking down the door” after missing the fourth Test.
Whatever XI England settle on, Sydney now becomes a rescue job for a bowling group down to the bare bones. Atkinson heads home for rehab, Potts and Fisher sharpen up in the nets, and England hope their bodies hold together for five more days.
