Marcus Harris scored 76 before becoming James Anderson's third wicket as the 39-year-old pacer is keeping England in touch at Tea.
The start of the Day 2 of the third Ashes Test was delayed because of a COVID-19 scare involving two members of the England support staff. The England cricket team was waiting on the results of COVID-19 tests before resuming play after a positive case in the team’s family group, the side said on Monday. However the match started with Australia 61-1 in reply to England’s first innings total of 185 on a green-tinged pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. At Tea, Australia were 6 for 200.
Tea on day two in Melbourne ☕️
England keep up the pressure in the second session.
Watch the #Ashes live on https://t.co/CPDKNx77KV (in select regions) ? #AUSvENG | #WTC23 | https://t.co/QKpJv6yy6n pic.twitter.com/jDOKze2uY8
— ICC (@ICC) December 27, 2021
England, who are trailing the five-match series 2-0 are in a do-or-die situation and desperately need to win the Test to keep the Ashes alive. After a dismal show with the bat, the English bowlers fought well to take five wickets after the resumption of play. Earlier at the end of first day, James Anderson had dismissed opener David Warner (38).
Marcus Harris and night watchman Nathan Lyon resumed the play on day 2. Lyon was quickly sent back to the pavilion by Ollie Robinson. Mark Wood took the crucial wicket of world’s No. 1 ranked batter Marnus Labuschagne who was caught at first slip for one at 84-3.
And then, Anderson bowled Australia’s second best batsman Steve Smith at 110-4. For a brief period it looked like England were losing the momentum as Harris and Travis Head stood firm to stitch together a few runs. But then Robinson got the breakthrough as he had the latter caught at first slip by Joe Root. It was the 28-year-old pacer’s second wicket of the match.
However, Harris went on to make 76 from 189 deliveries that included 7 boundaries before he fell to Anderson. The 39-year-old pacer’s brilliant delivery found the outside edge of Harris’ bat and got caught by Joe Root at first slip. Going into Tea, Australia have a lead of 15 runs while England need four more wickets to bat again.
The first day saw Australia bowlers dismantle the England batting line-up. Skipper Pat Cummins led the charge with three wickets while Lyon also had 3 scalps. Mitchell Starc picked up two while Cameroon Green and debutant Scott Boland took one wicket each.