Cricket Atkinson ruled out of final Ashes Test with hamstring injury

Gus Atkinson has been ruled out of the final Ashes Test, leaving England three bowlers down as they close the series in Sydney.

- Rory DOLLARD

Atkinson pulled up while bowling in his side’s two-day win at Melbourne and played no further part in the match. Scans have shown a left hamstring injury which will not allow him to feature in the New Year Test and the exact severity may not be known until further assessment when he returns home.

The 27-year-old bows out of his first Ashes series with six wickets at 47.33, having shown glimpses of his ability without ever asserting himself on the occasion.

Atkinson’s early exit follows the withdrawals of Mark Wood, whose knee problems flared up after the first Test, and Jofra Archer, who sustained a side strain after turning out in each of the first three matches.

All three were in the tourists’ first-choice XI when they hit Australia with a barrage of pace on day one in Perth, but a much-changed attack will now finish the series.