Australia seemed to gain pace on Day 2 of Ashes’ Boxing Day Test against England and managed to secure 70 additional runs, shedding off three wickets in the process. The Australian side started the day off with 61 runs on the scoreboard at the loss of one wicket.

At lunch, Australia trails England by 54 runs on the first innings, finishing the session with a score of 131-4.

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The start of the game was delayed after a COVID scare, involving two members of England’s support staff, was reported early Monday, according to reports from Associated Press.

England, however, managed to take frequent wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday, preventing a stable partnership. Nathan Lyon– the Nightwatchman– was dismissed for 10 after being caught behind the stumps. 

Marnus Labuschagne had a similar fate and was got caught at the first slip for a single-digit score at 84-3. Steve Smith followed suit and was dismissed by James Anderson at 110-4.

In a day of early drama, Cricket Australia released a statement confirming the COVID-19 outbreak within the England camp, which delayed the team’s arrival at the MCG and caused a 30-minute delay to the start 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 statement said, according to reports from Associated Press.

Australia captain Pat Cummins was unable to play in the second test in Adelaide after becoming a close contact with a COVID-19 case.

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Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, England’s tours of South Africa and Sri Lanka were abandoned mid-tour due to COVID concerns.

Australia leads the five-match series 2-0, which means England needs to win all three remaining matches to regain the Ashes.