England fast bowler Gus Atkinson has been ruled out of the fifth and final Test of the ongoing 2025-2026 Ashes after straining his hamstring during the fourth match in Melbourne. Atkinson helped England take the first wicket on Day 2 when he had nightwatchman Scott Boland (6 off 17) edge one to Jamie Smith.
However, left the field grimacing in pain after completing his fifth over, pulling his hamstring. Atkinson subsequently underwent scans which confirmed he had suffered an injury to his left thigh muscle. As a result, he will not feature in the final Test to be played in Sydney.
“England men’s seader Gus Atkinson has been ruled out for the remainder of the Ashes tour after scans confirmed he had suffered a left hamstring injury. The Surrey right-hander left the field after bowling the fifth over of Australia’s second innings during England’s win at the MCG in the fourth Test. England and England will not call up a replacement for January’s fifth Test in England and Wales, C4 Waleset. in a press release. England Cricket X post (source: @englandcricket)
Atkinson played three Tests in the series, scalping six wickets with best figures of 2/28 in Melbourne. He also scored 73 runs with the bat from five innings, with a best score of 37 during the first Test in Perth.
The quick becomes the third England bowler to be ruled out of the ongoing series. Atkinson was brought into the playing eleven for the fourth Test in place of fast bowler Jofry Archer, who was also ruled out of the rest of the Ashes series with a side strain ahead of the Melbourne Test.
Earlier, Mark Wood was also ruled out of the Ashes after re-injuring his left knee, which he suffered during the first Test in Perth. Meanwhile, in Atkinson’s absence, Matthew Potts or Matthew Fisher will battle it out for selection in the Sydney Test, which is due to start on January 4.
After final termination a a long wait of 5,468 days to win the Test in Australia, England will be eager to win the fifth Test and finish the series on a high, despite having already lost the series 1–3.
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Issued by:
Rishabh Beniwal
Published on:
December 29, 2025
