4 members of England camp tested covid positive ahead of day 2 of 3rd Test.
Ashes 2021-22: The ongoing third test match between Australia and England went into slight chaos after a few members of the touring party tested covid positive ahead of day two of the Boxing day test. Four members of the English camp including two support staff and two family members returned covid positive owing to which a delay was seen at the start of the play of day 2.
Cricket Australia (CA) released a statement following the incident and said, “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.”
A delay of half an hour was caused as the entire touring party had to undergo covid testing protocol before the play can be resumed. Fortunately, everyone barring the four aforementioned returned covid negative report and the game went ahead as planned.
Extra precautions will be taken from now onwards to reduce further risks. The touring party is also set to undergo another fresh round of covid testing on 27th December.
“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. 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,” the statement added.
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Australia vs England 3rd Test Brief Scores:
Moving further to the stats of the third Ashes Test match, hosts, Australia are well in control currently to take a healthy lead once again. England could only score 185 runs in the first innings at the loss of 10 wickets. English skipper Joe Root once again scored a half-century while Jonny Bairstow amassed 35 runs.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins drew the early blood as he scalped three wickets along with Nathan Lyon (3 wickets) while Mitchell Starc picked two wickets and Cameron Green and Scott Boland got one wicket apiece to end the English innings.
In response to the scanty total, Australia opened up nicely as the openers scored 57 runs before the first breakthrough. As of now, Australia have scored 180 runs in the loss of 5 wickets. Opener Marcus Harris is going strong with his unbeaten 76 runs while a new man Cameron Green has joined him at the other end.
England: 185/10 (1st Innings)
Joe Root – 50 (82) / Pat Cummins – 3 wickets
Australia: 180*/5
Marcus Harris – 7 (189)* / James Anderson – 3 wickets.