England pacer James Anderson is urging officials to continue the Ashes series against Australia despite a COVID-19 drama that unfolded at the team’s hotel on Monday and the start of the second day of the third Test. was delayed.
Like other sporting events around the world, it may be at the mercy of the COVID-19 test results.
Ahead of the start of play on Monday, Cricket Australia called for calm after a COVID-19 scare involving two members of England’s support staff resulted in a 30-minute delay in the start of play. Hui.
Australia were bowled out for 267 as the home team took a first innings advantage of 82 runs before England reached 31-4 in their second innings at stumps on Monday.
“We actually got on the bus to be on the field at a normal time and then asked to get off the bus because we found out about some positive (cases),” Anderson said.
England players were tested and waited for about 45 minutes before the scheduled 10.30am start before going on the field.
“We’re all doing Tests now,” Anderson said after scoring 4-33 in Australia’s first innings. “We’ll have to wait and see what the results are. As long as the group on the field today is negative, I don’t see why we can’t move forward.
“As far as I know, the whole sports group feels fine.”
Australian opener Marcus Harris said he is confident the show will go on.
“The hiccups are about to come. This is the world we live in,” Harris said. “We can be games played. Issues do arise but some things happen and everyone is doing their best to make sure that the games are played. I think we’ll find a way to make it happen.”
Earlier, Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said there was no need to change the current plans, which include hosting the fourth and fifth Tests in Sydney and Hobart respectively.
“We just need to keep calm and get the facts,” Hockley said. “Everyone needs to follow the medical advice. Based on that we keep going.”
On day one of the opening play, Cricket Australia issued a statement confirming the outbreak of COVID-19 within England’s camp delayed the team’s arrival at the MCG and delayed the start of play by 30 minutes.
“Cricket Australia has been informed that two members of the England cricket team’s support staff and two members of their family have returned a positive COVID-19 rapid antigen test,” the statement said.
“The affected persons are currently in isolation.”
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.
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