Fast bowler reports “soreness” early on day two at the MCG after dismissing Scott Boland

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England’s emphatic two-day win in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was overshadowed by another injury concern, as fast bowler Gus Atkinson left the field clutching his left hamstring during the morning session on day two. Atkinson had just removed nightwatchman Scott Boland early in the session but appeared to suffer the injury while running in to bowl the final delivery of his fifth over. He completed the ball at around 61mph (98kph) before immediately grabbing his hamstring and walking off the field for medical attention, with Ollie Pope coming on as a substitute fielder. Atkinson did not return after the lunch break, placing his availability for the fifth Test in Sydney on January 3 in serious doubt.

An England team spokesperson confirmed the issue, stating that Atkinson felt “some soreness” in his left hamstring and would be assessed over the following hours. Captain Ben Stokes later admitted uncertainty over the severity of the injury, acknowledging it was disappointing with another Test looming and stressing that further scans would determine the outcome.

The setback is particularly concerning given Atkinson’s recent injury history. He had been limited to just one Test against India at home earlier this year due to a right hamstring strain suffered against Zimbabwe. After taking three wickets across the first two Tests of the current series, he was left out in Adelaide but recalled for the fourth Test at the MCG, where he claimed figures of 2 for 28 from 14 overs on the opening day.

Atkinson’s injury adds to England’s growing fast-bowling woes on the Australia tour. Mark Wood returned home after the first Test with a knee injury, while Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the final two matches due to a side strain. England still have Matthew Potts and Matthew Fisher yet to play in the series, along with off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, as they consider their options ahead of the decisive Sydney Test.