England bowler Gus Atkinson to miss fifth and final Test of Ashes series against Australia in Sydney with hamstring injury
Published 29/12/2025 at 08:54 GMT
Gus Atkinson has withdrawn from the remainder of the NRMA Insurance men's Ashes series after injuring his hamstring during the fourth Test, when he immediately left the field of play. England went on to defeat Australia to claim their first Test win of the Ashes. Atkinson joins Mark Wood and Jofra Archer on the sidelines. Watch every ball of the final Ashes Test live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Highlights: England secure first Test win in Australia since 2011 to avoid Ashes whitewash
Video credit: TNT Sports
England will be without Gus Atkinson for the fifth and final NRMA Insurance men's Ashes Test against Australia, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The pace bowler picked up a hamstring problem on the second morning of the fourth Test, becoming the third England bowler to withdraw due to injury.
It turned out that the second morning when Atkinson suffered his injury was the last of the fourth Test, as England avoided a series whitewash to win by four wickets and reduce the deficit to 3-1.
The victory ended Australia's 18-match unbeaten Ashes home run, and England's 15-year wait for a Test triumph Down Under.
Australia had already sealed Ashes victory on home soil, after eight-wicket wins in Perth and Brisbane, before settling the contest in Adelaide to retain the urn.
Atkinson joins Mark Wood (knee) and Jofra Archer (side strain) - all three of whom were in England's first XI for the opening Test - as bowlers to be withdrawn during the series through injury.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/28/image-55a993e5-adee-4eaf-8452-ca362cac20aa-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Watch: Crawley slams ball into hoardings with 'high and mighty' six off Neser
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Surrey bowler picked up just three wickets through the first two Tests as he struggled with fitness, before being left out of the third Test and returning for the fourth, where he took three more wickets.
It is understood that England will opt not to bring in a replacement, with Matthew Potts set to play in the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground to make his Ashes debut and 10th Test appearance, while Surrey's Matthew Fisher is on standby after previously joining the main squad.
England will announce their squad, which is expected to be near full-strength, on Tuesday, December 30, with Brydon Carse expected to complete five Tests in a row, and Josh Tongue continuing after impressing with the ball in Adelaide and Melbourne.
- 'Has to be some empathy' - Prior defends Duckett and England after Ashes 'trauma'
- VOTE: Should Bashir play in Sydney? Who replaces Atkinson? Can England make it 3-2?
- What was the freak incident that helped England to Ashes Test victory in Melbourne?
Spinner Shoaib Bashir, who has endured a difficult time in Australia and is yet to feature in any of the four Tests, could be an option.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/28/image-234007ff-35fb-42d5-b6e4-9430405cb044-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Duckett will feel ‘relief’ after Melbourne win following video-criticism ‘trauma’ - Prior
Video credit: TNT Sports
As for England's opponents, Australia are also expected to make changes.
Spinner Todd Murphy could potentially come into the team in exchange for a pace bowler, while Cameron Green could be replaced in the batting order.
Meanwhile, 39-year-old Usman Khawaja could play his final Test in the New Year, Australia's last for eight months.
However, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald insisted that they "haven't had a conversation" about the veteran's future, with there being "no indication" that Khawaja is ready to retire.
The fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney will get underway on Saturday, January 3, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement