Fast bowler Gus Atkinson Compounds the English team's Fitness Concerns.
'Serious blow' for England as Atkinson goes off due to a hamstring issue.
The pace bowler increased the fitness woes of the England squad after leaving the field on the second morning in the Melbourne Test in the Ashes series.
The pace bowler felt a problem in his left leg post-delivery that he bowled at the MCG.
The England team indicated the 27-year-old felt some "soreness" and would spend time on the sidelines in order to be assessed "over the next few hours".
The series decider of the tour at the SCG gets underway on Sunday, 4 January.
The English side has previously lost strike bowlers Mark Wood with a knee problem and Jofra Archer because of a side injury on the current trip.
A replacement bowler was called up as cover for Wood.
The seamer had a tough time during the first two matches, taking just a handful of scalps.
He was left out from the previous Test, only to be brought back for the Melbourne Test in the playing XI.
The county bowler showed better form in Melbourne, claiming a couple of wickets with the ball, then making 28 with the bat among just a trio of teammates who passed ten runs.
Post a single over late on the first day, he came back for the second day's play and dismissed the nightwatchman edging to the keeper.
Yet, on the final ball of the fifth over, he sent down a slower ball to the batsman and immediately felt his left hamstring.
Gus Atkinson was recalled for the Boxing Day Test after being left out the Adelaide game.