Ashes: The announcement that fast bowler Gus Atkinson would miss the last Test of the Ashes series at the SCG owing to injury has dealt a blow to England.

On the second day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, Atkinson injured his left hamstring while bowling and was unable to play again. In his absence, other quick bowlers took over, dismissing Australia for 132 in the second innings to secure their first Ashes Test victory away from home since January 2011.

“England seamer Gus Atkinson has been ruled out for the remainder of the Ashes tour after scans confirmed he has sustained a left hamstring injury,” a statement from England Cricket said.

“During England’s triumph at the MCG in the fourth Test, the Surrey right-armer exited the field after delivering his fifth over of Australia’s second innings.

“England will not call up a replacement for the fifth Test, which gets under way in Sydney on 4 January,” it said.

Despite leading England’s assault when he came in Australia, Atkinson found it difficult to keep up his speed and incisiveness over the first two Test matches. He was pulled for the crucial match in Adelaide after going wicketless in Perth and taking 3-151 from 33 overs in Brisbane. Throughout the series, the 27-year-old has claimed six wickets at a rate of 47.33.

Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, England’s speed combo, have already been sidelined by injuries this trip.

Due to Atkinson’s injury, fellow quicks Matthew Fisher and Matthew Potts are eligible for a call-up.

With his most recent 10 outings occurring in December 2024, Potts has collected 36 Test wickets at a rate of 29.44.

On January 4, Australia and England will play their fifth and final Ashes Test at the SCG.

Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, and Ben Stokes (c) make up the England team.