Ashes 2nd Day: England phases revival at MCG amid virus scare

A COVID-19 scare involving two members of England’s assist employees delayed the beginning of Monday’s second day of the third Ashes cricket take a look at and led to hypothesis that the sequence may very well be underneath menace if additional outbreaks happen.
Resuming on 61-1 in reply to England’s first-innings whole of 185 on a green-tinged pitch on the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia added 70 runs for the lack of three wickets, reaching 131-4 at lunch. Australia trails England by 54 runs on the primary innings.
Nightwatchman Nathan Lyon departed for 10, caught behind off the bowling of Ollie Robinson. Mark Wood made the important thing breakthrough by eradicating world No.1-ranked batter Marnus Labuschagne, who was caught at first slip for one at 84-3.
Steve Smith appeared tentative in his innings of 16 and was out bowled by James Anderson at 110-4.
Opener Marcus Harris was 48 not out with Travis Head on 11 on the first break.
In a day of early drama, Cricket Australia launched a press release confirming the COVID-19 outbreak throughout the England camp, which delayed the staff’s arrival on the MCG and prompted a 30-minute delay to the beginning of play.
“Cricket Australia has been informed that two members of the England cricket team’s support staff and two of their family members have returned a positive COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test,” the assertion mentioned.
“The affected individuals are currently isolating. The entire playing group and all other support staff have undertaken Rapid Antigen Tests this morning and all have tested negative. The England cricket team will also have PCR tests today, and both teams will take extra precautions throughout play.”
An announcement from the England Cricket Board had earlier revealed the staff and administration have been on the staff lodge awaiting outcomes of COVID assessments “following a positive test in the team’s family group.”

The huge display @mcg stating play delayed “Due to England team’s late arrival” #BBCCricket #ashes pic.twitter.com/26gLCtOiUo
— Adam Mountford (@tmsproducer) December 26, 2021

The Australian Seven Network’s tv protection of the match has additionally been affected. A member of the printed employees examined constructive to the virus, forcing commentators to isolate because the community known as in a contemporary staff.
Australia captain Pat Cummins was unable to play within the second take a look at in Adelaide after turning into an in depth contact of a COVID-19 case.
Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, England’s excursions of South Africa and Sri Lanka have been deserted mid-tour attributable to COVID considerations.
Australia leads the five-match sequence 2-0, which suggests England must win all three remaining matches to regain the Ashes.