Australia put one hand on Ashes after England collapse again

MELBOURNE (Reuters): Australia’s pacemen crashed through England’s top order with four wickets in a thrilling final hour on day two of the third Ashes test on Monday to all but crush the tourists’ hopes of keeping the series alive.

After Joe Root’s bowlers rallied their team by dismissing Australia for 267, Mitchell Starc came within a whisker of a hat-trick and debutant Scott Boland grabbed another two wickets to leave England 31/4 at stumps, still trailing by 51 runs.

Captain Root was on 12*, with Ben Stokes on 2*, the pair left to mount an improbable rescue mission at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Even accounting for the fragility of England’s top order, the pace onslaught by Starc, Boland and Pat Cummins with the new ball was breath-taking.

“What they did again for the last hour tonight was unbelievable,” said opener Marcus Harris, who top-scored for Australia with 76.

“I can’t see (the pitch) getting a whole lot easier to bat on ... There’s enough there for the bowlers, and if you’re willing to occupy the crease, there’s runs there as well.” 

It was a dramatic end to a rollercoaster day which started with a COVID-19 scare in the England camp as two support staff and two family members tested positive and were forced to isolate.

England’s players were cleared after rapid antigen tests and the match got back underway after a half-hour delay.

However, the team face an anxious wait to see if they will be cleared after more thorough PCR tests on Monday night.

Whatever the results, England finished day two on life support after their batsmen again crumbled under pressure a day after being skittled for 185.

Starc had opener Zak Crawley caught behind for five and number three Dawid Malan LBW for a duck in successive balls.