England’s ever-changing attack will be shaken up again for the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney after fast bowler Gus Atkinson became the latest to succumb to injury.
Atkinson strained his left hamstring soon after picking up his third wicket during England’s victory in Melbourne on Saturday – a first Test win on Australian soil in nearly 15 years – and the 27-year-old has subsequently been ruled out of the Ashes finale.
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The damage is a hamstring tear following scans, denying him the chance to feature in the New Year Test, though the exact severity may not be known until further assessment when he returns home.
The Surrey seamer’s departure makes it three bowlers down for the tourists, joining Jofra Archer and Mark Wood on the treatment table.
In Atkinson’s absence, 10-Test Matthew Potts is in line to be called into action as the last unused bowler from the original squad of 16.
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Matthew Potts is next in line for a Test recall in Sydney (Robbie Stephenson/PA) (PA Wire)
If selected, it would be the fast-medium pacer’s first Test since notching five wickets in a bruising defeat to New Zealand in Hamilton over a year ago.
The 27-year-old Durham star made his Test debut for England in 2022 but is not the only option available to Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes.
Atkinson’s county team-mate Matthew Fisher is the other reserve quick in the side and could be called upon to make his Ashes debut.
One-Test Fisher was added to England’s squad following the withdrawal of Wood, whose knee problems flared up after the first Test, but has yet to feature.
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Matthew Fisher could also be called upon to replace Gus Atkinson (Robbie Stephenson/PA Wire)
Potts has 36 wickets in 10 Tests appearances, averaging 29.44, while Fisher won his only cap against the West Indies in 2022, taking one one wicket for 71 in Barbados.
While Atkinson’s absence is confirmed, he will not be replaced in the squad as the Ashes reaches its climax.
Brydon Carse is set to complete five Tests in a row, though could cede new ball duties, with Josh Tongue continuing after two impressive performances in Adelaide and Melbourne.
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