Live report - Australia vs England, 3rd Test, Melbourne, 2nd day

England 185 and 4 for 31 trail Australia 267 (Harris 76, Anderson 4-33) by 51 runs
Some vintage James Anderson bowling kept England in the contest on an eventful second day of the third Test at the MCG, only for the tourists' brittle batting to falter in the face of a devastating blitz from Australia's quicks which put the hosts on the verge of sealing the series.

Debutant Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc claimed two wickets each to crush England during a scintillating final hour and undo Anderson's four-wicket haul which had fleetingly given the tourists hope.

With their warm-up routine thrown into chaos by four positive Covid tests among team staff and their families which delayed their departure for the ground - and the start by half an hour - England showed the sort of bottle that was sorely missing as Australia romped a 2-0 series lead to wrest back some control with the ball. Cleared to play after passing lateral flow Tests in the morning, the England players were scheduled to undergo PCR testing at the close of play, with the match allowed to proceed in the meantime.

And it was the 39-year-old Anderson, who made his international debut at the same ground in an ODI in 2002, leading the way with two particularly miserly spells which yielded the important wickets of Steve Smith and Marcus Harris, who top-scored with 76, either side of lunch.

Australia were bowled out for 267, a first-innings lead of 82 runs. But England's top order had no answers as Starc claimed two wickets in as many balls to put them 2 for 7. As if the pressure on England captain Joe Root wasn't cranked up enough, he barely survived Starc's hat-trick ball, an unplayable delivery beating his outside edge.

By the close, England were in disarray after Starc struck in the fifth over of the innings when he found Zak Crawley's outside edge, taken by keeper Alex Carey for 5, and then trapped Dawid Malan lbw for a first-ball duck.

Boland came on for the penultimate over and had Haseeb Hameed caught behind with his third ball, then removed nightwatchman Jack Leach with a gem that clattered into the top of off stump two balls later as the match slipped back into a more familiar rhythm with England staring down a series defeat.

After a quiet few overs, Scott Boland has knocked over two in three balls, as Australia scent blood amid the evening shadows at the MCG! Haseeb Hameed fell to his third ball, fiddling an edge through to Alex Carey as the ball kicked up around off stump. Boland was nearly on a hat-trick, as Jack Leach deflected his first ball down and narrowly past the stumps... but there was no doubt about the next one, as Leach played no stroke and had his off pole pegged back. England four down and still 60 in arrears. What a moment for the debutant, who is applauded back down to fine leg at the end of the over.

And it was very nearly a hat-trick, Joe Root surviving by the narrowest of margins as Starc's unplayable delivery beats the outside edge.

Ben Stokes removes Alex Carey, tempting Australia's last recognised batter to drive at a fuller ball outside off stump and finding the edge, which Jos Buttler takes behind the stumps. Stokes is in raptures after taking his first wicket for the match. The hosts are 8 for 219 in reply to England's first-innings 185.

Jack Leach has claimed his first wicket of the match, dismissing Cameron Green lbw for 17 in the second over after tea. Australia are 7 for 207, a lead of 22 runs.

By Alex Malcolm

James Anderson made his international debut on the MCG in an ODI in 2002 and his Test debut six months later when Cameron Green was just three years old.

At 39, he put on a masterclass of fast bowling on day two in Melbourne. His two spells either side of lunch yielded figures of 10-7-3-2, including the prized scalp of Steven Smith and the set Marcus Harris for 76, the highest score of the match.

His control of length was sublime and he created enough movement both ways off the seam to cause all sorts of problems for Australia’s batters. He has bowled as well as anyone on this surface which has been difficult but not impossible to bat on. He is the major reason England have now got a foothold in this game at tea on day two.

Some outstanding bowling from James Anderson has helped keep England in touch with the match heading to tea on day two.

Australia helped themselves to six runs off the first over after lunch, bowled by Jack Leach, and 10 off the second, from Mark Wood, during which time Marcus Harris brought up his third Test fifty. Both bowlers' subsequent overs were tighter but, as if to ram home the message that England were in danger of letting their good work of the morning session come undone, Jos Buttler then fluffed a stumping chance off Harris when he was on 63 and advanced to Leach, who saw him coming and fired the ball down the leg-side, only for Buttler to thrust out his right glove in vain.

Ollie Robinson made a breakthrough to dismiss Travis Head, caught at slip by Joe Root, and when Anderson had Harris out in similar fashion for 76, three runs shy of equalling his highest Test score and with Australia still five runs shy of England's first-innings total, the tourists found some renewed vigour.

Wood peppered Cameron Green with some short-pitched deliveries, one of which spat off the top glove and landed just short of Haseeb Hameed at point. But Anderson has been the pick of the England bowlers, conceding just two runs in a four-over spell, which also included the important wicket of Harris. Having also dismissed Steve Smith during an equally impressive six-over spell before lunch, Anderson also removed opener David Warner on the first evening and heads to tea on day two with figures of 19-9-24-3.

Australia hit the front late in the middle session but will need a strong partnership from Green and Alex Carey to build their advantage into something significant.

James Anderson claims his third wicket, that of set batter Marcus Harris for 76. Harris was just three runs shy of equaling his highest Test score when Anderson had him caught at first slip by Joe Root with an excellent delivery which found the outside edge.

Anderson has 3 for 23 and Australia are 180 for 6, five runs shy of England's first-innings total.

By Alex Malcolm

Jack Leach’s fields have been very odd in this innings so far and it continued in that over bowling to a right-hander for the first time. It was Leach, not Joe Root, who asked for short leg to be moved out to a conventional short fine leg to create a ring field with just one slip.

Cameron Green is a nervous starter and has proven as much throughout this series. Yet Leach had just one fielder close to the bat and long-off and long-on back. Green was able to get off strike with an easy push to long-off.

Ollie Robinson has broken through after a troubling period for England in which it looked like their good work of the first session might come undone. He dismisses Travis Head, fencing at one that angled across to be caught by Joe Root at slip. That's Robinson's second wicket after he removed nightwatchman Nathan Lyon earlier in the day. Australia are 5 for 171

By Alex Malcolm

It’s been a long road for Marcus Harris to get his third Test match half-century. It’s been nearly three years and 17 Test innings since his previous one against India at the SCG in 2019. He’s been given more chances than most but it’s reward for Australia’s selectors, who opted to stick with him on account of his standing as the best performed Sheffield Shield opener over the last five years and the lack of pressure from other openers around the country.

Harris has played well in this innings on a surface that has been challenging. He has been worked over by England’s seamers coming around the wicket, a tactic that has consistently been his Kryptonite. He has defended well and played inside his eyeline a lot more today than in his previous innings this summer.

England concede 16 runs in the first two overs after lunch, six off Jack Leach and 10 off Mark Wood

Three wickets on an eventful second morning allowed England to maintain some sort of grip on this Ashes series, sending Australia to lunch at 4 for 131, trailing by 54 runs, in the third Test at the MCG.

Play was delayed by half an hour after two England team staffers and two members of their families returned positive Covid tests, but the players were allowed to leave their hotel for the ground after all testing negative ahead of a round of PCR testing, scheduled for after the close.

Ollie Robinson struck in the fourth over of the day to dismiss nightwatchman Nathan Lyon, finding an edge with good line and length and Jos Buttler did the rest behind the stumps.

Mark Wood came on in the ninth over and had dangerous batter Marnus Labuschagne out for just for 1 with his third ball of the day, with one that kicked off a tight line and deflected off the splice into the waiting hands of Joe Root at slip.

Under-pressure Marcus Harris offered resistance and was unbeaten on 48 at the break, having overturned an lbw decision to Ben Stokes when he was on 36 with replays showing that there was bat on ball. It was Harris' third-highest Test score in 24 innings, and only the fourth time he has reached 40.

Stokes beat Smith's outside edge a short time later when the batter was on 13, but it was James Anderson who bowled Smith for 16, reward for a superb spell of 6-5-1-1. It was Anderson's second wicket for the match after he removed David Warner on the first evening.

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley is confident the third Test and the Ashes series can continue, despite two members of the England team staff and two of their family members returning positive Covid tests. Speaking shortly after play began on day two in Melbourne, Hockley confirmed that the England players would undergo PCR tests later tonight.

"We'll work on the basis of all the available information that we have," Hockley said. But certainly the medical advisors, on the basis of this morning's precaution, they felt it appropriate to continue with the match."

Hockley also believed the fourth Test in Sydney, starting on January 5, was not in any danger despite higher case numbers there.

"I think we've shown that we've got great confidence in the protocols," he added. "They are increasing case numbers in New South Wales and in Sydney. We've got an exclusive property for the playing group. We are flying there by charter. This is something that we're all having to live with. So again, [we're] just extremely appreciative to the medical staff, both squads, both sets of playing groups for adhering to the protocols which are designed to keep everybody safe."

You can read Alex Malcolm's full story here.

Mark Wood has claimed the crucial wicket of Marnus Labuschagne for just 1. Wood entered the attack in the ninth over of the day and struck with his third ball, one that kicked up from a tight line and deflected off the splice into the waiting hands of Joe Root at slip. Australia are 3 for 84.

Ollie Robinson has struck in the fourth over of the day to dismiss nightwatchman Nathan Lyon, finding an edge with good line and length and caught behind by Jos Buttler.

Cricket Australia have responded to this morning's Covid scare in the England camp, confirming that four people connected with the touring party have tested positive in the following statement:

"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 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."

After Covid-related distractions, a reminder about the state of play - Australia well and truly won the opening day, bowling England out for just 185 and they are 1 for 61 in response, a deficit of 124 runs, having lost the wicket of David Warner for 38.

Pat Cummins, the Australia captain who crucially took three wickets in the first session yesterday, has spoken to Channel Seven about winning an important toss: “The batters are always keen for us to bowl first, but every Shield game basically, the team always opts to bowl first here. If you are going to get anything out of the wicket, it is day one. Day four and five, it seems to get better and better to bat on. Overcast, clouds, I thought it was a good day to bowl.

“We are going to get the most out of this wicket today. I think our batters have been incredibly disciplined in the way they have left the ball and defended, and if there has been an opportunity, they have been brave enough to capitalise.”

The start will be delayed by half an hour due to that Covid scare within the England team's family group.

Meanwhile, Alex Malcolm at the MCG says: Channel Seven’s entire broadcast team has been replaced this morning after they had a positive Covid case in their box yesterday. So the likes of Ricky Ponting and Sir Ian Botham are isolating awaiting tests and Seven’s regular Big Bash League commentary team have had to step in for their coverage.

Seven Network Head of Sport Lewis Martin has released a statement, saying: “The Seven Network confirms it is responding after a member of staff working on the Ashes broadcast at the MCG tested positive to COVID-19 on Sunday night.

“The staff member was asymptomatic at time of testing and has been in self isolation since the moment the positive result was returned.

“Seven is activating its COVID measures to ensure the health and safety of all staff, as well as the broader community, and is working in line with all relevant guidelines and regulations. We are working closely with the MCG operational team and Cricket Australia.

“Just as the broader community is experiencing, we have COVID response scenarios in place to ensure the impact on Seven’s broadcast is limited. There have been a number of changes to today’s production schedule, which will be led by Alistair Nicholson, Andy Maher and Jason Richardson with expert comments from Lisa Sthalekar, Brad Hodge, Callum Ferguson, Michael Atherton and Dirk Nannes.

“Seven’s number one priority is the health, safety and welfare of all staff and the community.”