On a day clouded by four positive Covid cases within their camp, England took the important wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to give themselves a fighting chance in the third Ashes Test on Monday.
Australia were 131 for four at lunch on day two in Melbourne, with Marcus Harris unbroken on 48 and Travis Head not out 11, but 54 runs behind England’s first-innings 185.
After devastating defeats in Brisbane and Adelaide, England needs to win to keep the five-Test series alive, with Australia needing only a draw to keep the urn.
The visitors had collapsed in the final session of the first day, with Australia surviving 16 overs to reach stumps on 61 for one, with dangerman David Warner dismissed for 38 by Jimmy Anderson.
Harris restarted on 20 with nightwatchman Nathan Lyon failing to score, under pressure after a disappointing series so far.
After Covid drama in the England camp, the team was compelled to undertake urgent quick antigen testing as they were ready to leave for the MCG, play began half an hour late.
All players came back negative, but two support staff and two family members tested positive and are isolating.
A member of the Channel Seven broadcast team also tested positive.
