Paceman Atkinson Compounds England's Injury Concerns.
'Serious blow' for the touring side after Atkinson leaves the field with a hamstring injury.
The pace bowler increased the fitness woes of the England squad when he left the ground early on day two in the Melbourne Test against Australia.
The right-arm seamer pulled up with his left leg post-delivery of the fourth over at the MCG.
The touring camp reported the 27-year-old had experienced "tightness" and was to take time off the field for further assessment "over the next few hours".
The series decider of the tour in Sydney begins on Sunday, 4 January.
The English side has been without strike bowlers Mark Wood to a knee injury and another paceman with an abdominal strain during this series.
A replacement bowler was added to the party as cover for Wood.
His form was underwhelming during the first two matches, managing only three wickets.
He was left out for the Adelaide match, only to be brought back for the fourth Test to fill the void.
Surrey's Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, bagging two scalps during the host's first knock, then making 28 with the bat among just a trio of teammates to get into double digits.
Following a brief spell late on the first day, he came back for the second day's play and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper.
Unfortunately, on the final ball of that over, he sent down a change of pace to the batsman and immediately felt at his leg.
Atkinson returned to the side for the Boxing Day Test following his omission the previous Test.
