England’s hopes of forcing their way back into the series on the opening day of a second Ashes Test in Adelaide reverberating to the drama of Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain, being forced out of the contest after being identified as a Covid contact, were dashed by a gritty 172-run stand between David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne and an inexplicable late dropped catch by their wicketkeeper, Jos Buttler. Buttler, who had earlier taken a spectacular catch to dismiss Marcus Harris and dropped a more difficult chance to account for Labuschagne, then put down a regulation chance to dismiss Labuschagne, on 95, off the bowling of James Anderson with the second new ball. The Australians closed on 221 for two, with Labuschagne still there on 95

Source: The Times December 17, 2021 01:22 UTC