England’s injury concerns deepened during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after seamer Gus Atkinson limped off the field early on Day 2, sparking fears of another setback for their fast-bowling unit.
When and how the injury occurred
Atkinson sustained the injury while bowling his fourth over of the morning session on Day 2. After delivering the fifth ball of the over, the England pacer was seen grabbing his left hamstring immediately, showing visible discomfort.
Despite the issue, Atkinson completed the over before walking off the field for medical assessment. He did not return to bowl for the remainder of the innings and was also absent from the field after the lunch interval, indicating the injury was serious enough to warrant precaution.
Nature of the injury
While the England and Wales Cricket Board has not yet released an official medical update, the visible signs suggest a left hamstring strain. Hamstring injuries are common among fast bowlers, particularly on hard Australian surfaces that place extra stress on the lower body during long spells.
England’s growing pace-bowling injury list
Atkinson’s injury adds to an already concerning list for England during the Ashes:
- Mark Wood was ruled out earlier in the series due to a knee injury sustained during the Brisbane Test.
- Jofra Archer suffered a left-side strain in Adelaide, which ruled him out for the remainder of the Ashes.
- Gus Atkinson now becomes the third frontline seamer to pick up an injury on tour.
The repeated setbacks have significantly reduced England’s fast-bowling resources in a physically demanding series.
Impact on England’s bowling plans
With Atkinson unable to continue, England were forced to rely heavily on their remaining bowlers, increasing workloads at a critical stage of the Test. Any prolonged absence could also affect selection balance for the remainder of the match and potentially the series, depending on medical assessments.
What happens next
England’s medical team is expected to monitor Atkinson closely before making a decision on his availability. Given the nature of hamstring injuries, teams often adopt a cautious approach to avoid aggravation.
An official update from the ECB is likely once scans and further evaluations are completed.
For now, England face yet another injury headache in an Ashes series that has already tested their depth and resilience.
