A COVID-19 scare involving two members of England’s support staff delayed the start of Monday’s second day of the third Ashes cricket test and led to speculation that the series could be under threat if further outbreaks occur. Resuming on 61-1 in reply to England’s first-innings total of 185 on a green-tinged pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia added 70 runs for the loss of three wickets, reaching 131-4 at lunch. Australia trails England by 54 runs on the first innings. Nightwatchman Nathan Lyon departed for 10, caught behind off the bowling of Ollie Robinson. Mark Wood made the key breakthrough by removing world No.1-ranked batter Marnus Labuschagne, who was caught at first slip for one at 84-3. Steve Smith looked tentative in his innings of 16 and was out bowled by James Anderson at 110-4. Opener Marcus Harris was 48 not out with Travis Head on 11 at the first break. 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. Read: Guide to the Ashes, Test cricket’s biggest stage “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. “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.” A statement from the England Cricket Board had earlier revealed the team and management were at the team hotel awaiting results of COVID tests “following a positive test in the team’s family group.” The Australian Seven Network’s television coverage of the match has also been affected. A member of the broadcast staff tested positive to the virus, forcing commentators to isolate as the network called in a fresh team. Australia captain Pat Cummins was unable to play in the second test in Adelaide after becoming a close contact of a COVID-19 case. 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.

Manchester, Sept 5 (AP/UNB) — Steve Smith was unbeaten on 173 after getting an unlikely reprieve because of a no-ball by England spinner Jack Leach as Australia reached tea on 369-5 and in a dominant position on day two of the fourth Ashes test.

Manchester, Sept 3 (AP/UNB) — England has dropped allrounder Chris Woakes and gone with a new-look batting order for the fourth Ashes test against Australia starting on Wednesday at Old Trafford.

London, Aug 30 (AP/UNB) — England pace bowler James Anderson will miss the final two tests of the Ashes series after his calf injury flared up again.

Leeds, Aug 23 (AP/UNB) — Australia skittled out England for just 67 off 27.5 overs to take a 102-run lead after the first innings soon after lunch on Day 2 of the third Ashes test at Headingley.

London, Aug 17 (AP/UNB) — Australia batsman Steve Smith was dismissed just short of his third straight century of the Ashes series after briefly retiring hurt after being struck on his neck by a hostile delivery from England paceman Jofra Archer on Saturday.

Birmingham, Aug 5 (AP/UNB) — Australia won the first Ashes test by a huge margin of 251 runs on Monday after dismissing England for 146 in its second innings on the final day.

Birmingham, Aug 4 (AP/UNB) — Steve Smith frustrated England once again as Australia took a slender 34-run lead in the first Ashes test after reaching 124-3 in its second innings at stumps on day three.

Birmingham, Aug 3 (AP/UNB) — Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad ushered England to a 90-run lead Saturday after the first innings of the first Ashes test against Australia following a middle-order collapse on the third day.

Birmingham, Aug 1 (AP/UNB) — Australia has won the toss and chosen to bat against England at Edgbaston on the first day of the first Ashes test.