Ashes 2025: Gus Atkinson Out, England Pace Attack in Trouble

England fast bowler Gus Atkinson is injured and will miss the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney because of a hamstring problem. Atkinson pulled up lame during the second morning of the Boxing Day test and was officially ruled-out after scans on Monday confirmed the injury in his left leg.

England have already lost their fast bowlers Mark Wood (knee injury) and Jofra Archer (side strain) in the series. Matthew Potts, 27, is likely to play in the fifth Test starting on January 4, alongside Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue in the bowling attack. Carse is now the only pacer remaining from the original four that took the field in Perth, believing they could tear through a brittle Australian batting lineup with lightning pace, but lost the series inside 11 days.

Injuries Hit England as Atkinson Ruled Out of Final Ashes Test

Atkinson played in the first two Tests in Perth and Adelaide, which England lost by 8 wickets. He was then left out for the third Test, with Josh Tongue taking his place.

He came back into the team for the Boxing Day Test after Jofra Archer was injured. England won that match, their first win in Australia since 2011. In the series, Atkinson took six wickets, with an average of 47.33. Captain Ben Stokes and spin-bowling allrounder Will Jacks also remain available as bowling options, as is specialist spinner Shoaib Bashir, who is yet to play a match in the series.