By Ian Ransom
MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Australia all-rounder Cameron Green and wicketkeeper Alex Carey battled through a tense half-hour to frustrate England and push the hosts into a slender lead at tea on day two of the third Ashes test in Melbourne on Monday.
Green, on 12 not out, and Carey on nine, nudged Australia to 200 for six in reply to England’s first innings 185, a lead of 15 runs at the break after seamers Ollie Robinson and James Anderson each grabbed a wicket in the session.
England had rallied with three wickets in the morning, restricting Australia to 131 for four at lunch, but much of the work was undone in a meandering phase straight after the break.
Skipper Joe Root eschewed a full pace attack, set conservative fields and started with spinner Jack Leach, who conceded six runs in his first over.
Seamer Mark Wood leaked 10 in the next over to further ease the pressure on the hosts.
Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, who had put down a difficult one-handed catch on Steve Smith while on five in the morning, bungled a hot stumping chance to reprieve Harris on 63 when the batsman charged at Leach.
Robinson eventually provided the circuit-breaker, having Travis Head nick to Root in the slips for 27.
Anderson came back into the attack after drinks and removed Harris for 76, cramping the opener with a sizzling delivery that induced a thick edge to Root.
Green and Carey then constructed a watchful 20-run partnership to put the pressure back on England, whose morning was disrupted by a COVID-19 scare.
Two England support staff and two of their family members tested positive for COVID-19, forcing a half-hour delay to the start of play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the entire camp waited to be cleared after taking rapid antigen tests. [L1N2TB0D2]
“It was a bit of a worrying morning but it all worked out alright,” said Wood.
Once play resumed with Australia 66 for one, Robinson, Anderson and Wood each took wickets to pull England back into the contest after their batsmen fell cheaply on day one.
Robinson had nightwatchman Nathan Lyon caught behind for 10 before Wood had danger man Marnus Labuschagne caught by Root in the slips for one run.
Anderson was rewarded for a superb morning spell by having Smith play on to his stumps for 16.
Holders Australia, who lead the five-match series 2-0 after wins in Brisbane and Adelaide, can retain the urn with a draw in Melbourne.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
