The play on day two of the third Ashes Test will be delayed by 30 minutes after a COVID-19 scare in the England camp.
Ahead of Monday’s play, England Cricket, on social media, said that a COVID positive case was detected in the team’s family group. The team and management waited at the team hotel for the results of RFT COVID tests.
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About 35 minutes before the scheduled start, the board informed that all of England’s players tested negative and had arrived at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium. The play was pushed to 00:00 GMT.
“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 Australian board’s statement read.
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“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 team will also have PCR tests today, and both teams will take extra precautions throughout play. Both playing squads remain unchanged. There is currently no further impact on fans or other parts of the venue. Cricket Australia and the MCC will continue to monitor the situation and follow the endorsed Victorian Government COVID-Safe Event Plan.”
Australia kicked off day two at 61/1 with Marcus Harris (20) and night watchman Nathan Lyon in the middle.
On Boxing Day, England was bowled out for 185 after Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and invited under-siege England to bat first on a green-tinged, seaming MCG pitch.
England was 61-3 at lunch. By tea, the tourists were 128-6, having lost the key wicket of skipper Joe Root for 50.
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England’s resistance with the bat lasted just 65.1 overs. World No.1-ranked bowler Cummins (3-36), spinner Nathan Lyon (3-36) and left-arm quick Mitchell Starc (2-54) combined to keep the pressure on England’s batters.
With inputs from the Associated Press
