Ashes 2025-26: England pacer Gus Atkinson ruled out of fifth Test with injury

England pacer Gus Atkinson, on Monday, was ruled out of the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia with a hamstring injury, its third fast bowler to head home early during the series.

The Surrey right-armer hobbled off early on day two of the fourth Test in Melbourne clutching his left leg and took no further part.

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

No replacement will be called up, opening the door to either Matthew Potts or Matthew Fisher, who are both in the squad but have yet to play.

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Atkinson is the third England quick to be sidelined after Mark Wood (knee) and Jofra Archer (side strain), leaving Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes to shoulder the attack.

England is 1-3 down ahead of the Sydney Test starting on Sunday.

It suffered back-to-back eight-wicket defeats in Perth and Brisbane and an 82-run loss at Adelaide before bouncing back to clinch a four-wicket win in Melbourne.

Published on Dec 29, 2025