Massive blow for England as Gus Atkinson ruled out of final Ashes Test with injury

New Delhi: In a major blow for England, fast bowler Gus Atkinson has been ruled out of the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia due to an injury. Joining the big injury toll of the tourists', Atkinson pulled up lame during the second morning of the Boxing Day Test and was officially rule out after scans on Monday confirmed injury in his left leg.

The English team has already lost the fast bowlers' Mark Wood (knee) and Jofra Archer (side strain) during the series, which they have already lost 1-3 with a lone match to go. Though a confirmed replacement has yet not been named but 27-year-old Matthew Potts is expected to join the squad for the final match starting on January 4.

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Potts will join Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue in the pace department for the English side which has mostly looked listless in the Test series and would be aiming to finish the Ashes on a high with a win. Meanwhile, Atkinson was part of the English squad that suffered two heavy 8-wicket losses in the first two Test matches in Perth and Brisbane before being dropped for the third test at Adelaide.

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The pacer was recalled to replace the injured Jofra Archer for the Boxing Day Test, which happened to England' first win on the Australia soil since 2011. He had a terrific return by claiming six wickets at an average of 47.33. Meanwhile, skipper Ben Stokes and spin-bowling all-rounder Will Jacks also remain available as bowling options, with specialist spinner Shoaib Bashir, who is yet to play a game in the five-match Test series.

After not being able to claim the prized Ashes trophy, England finally tasted victory in the fourth Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) making the series 1-3. In the finale at the Sydney Cricket Ground, they would wish to continue the winning momentum and end the series on a high.