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Once again, at the end of day’s play Australians have a spring in their step after taking four quick wickets in the last hour. After another top order collapse, England have been reduced to 31/4, still trailing by 51 runs.
Going at this pace, it looks likely that the third Test will be wrapped up on Day 3 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and hosts Australia will retain the Ashes.
Covid scare
Earlier the start of Day 2 was delayed by 30 minutes due to Covid-19 scare. Two family members of England’s support staff had tested positive for the virus. The two support staff members were tested and their results were awaited which caused the half an hour delay. The Covid-positive family members have been isolated.
Another collapse
Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc inflicted pain with the new ball getting two wickets each in the last session of play. Opener Zak Crawley too failed to make a mark and edged Starc’s delivery to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. It was followed by a golden duck by Dawid Malan as Starc trapped him in front of the wickets.
Opener Haseeb Hameed’s poor run continued as he got out for 7 to Boland. England sent in nightwatchman Jack Leach to prevent any more wickets from falling but Boland got through his defense and sent him back for a two-ball duck. The replacement of Josh Hazlewood got two wickets in the only over he bowled. Skipper Root who scored a half-century in the first innings remained unbeaten for 12 whereas Ben Stokes scored a couple of runs.
Anderson gets England back in game
Australia got off to a good start with David Warner scoring a quickfire 38 before stumps on Day 1. On Day 2, the first to be dismissed was nightwatchman Nathan Lyon by Ollie Robinson. Later, Mark Wood nullified the Marnus Labuschagne threat dismissing him for just a single.
Anderson then came back and took the prized wicket of Steve Smith (14). Marcus Harris continued to hold on to one end and succeeded in ending his half-century drought. While Travis Head and Chris Green departed after getting good starts, Anderson got the wicket of Harris with the old ball just before Australia could take a lead. Useful contributions from wicketkeeper-batter Carey, skipper Pat Cummins and Starc helped Australia to 267 in the first innings and take an 82-run lead.
Anderson finished with four wickets for 33 runs in 23 overs whereas Robinson and Wood took two wickets each. Stokes and Leach got one wicket each as well.
