Overview
- Atkinson left the field on the second morning at the MCG with left hamstring soreness after finishing the fourth over of his spell to Travis Head, and he will be assessed.
- The 27-year-old had earlier taken 2-28 from 14 overs in Australia’s first innings, including the wicket of nightwatchman Scott Boland.
- England are a bowler down for Australia’s second innings on a surface offering assistance to the quicks.
- Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are already ruled out of the series, leaving Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes as the remaining seam options for this match.
- Selectors are considering Matthew Potts for a recall for the Sydney Test on January 4, with Matthew Fisher also under discussion.