Australia will enter the third day of the Boxing Day Test with a mounting casualty ward after stars Mitchell Starc, David Warner and Cameron Green were all required to leave the field of play across the opening two days.
Ahead of the resumption of play, get up to date with all of the latest news and prognoses.
Mitchell Starc was the first of the casualties after injuring the middle finger of his bowling hand. The injury was caused whilst fielding at long-on, with the ball hitting his fingertip causing him to signal for immediate medical attention.
Starc was then escorted from the field of play by physiotherapist Nick Jones and went for scans. Starc has been confirmed as cleared to continue to play by Cricket Australia. His wife and fellow cricketer Alissa Healy additionally confirmed in commentary he should be ok to continue bowling.
However, given Australia's 197-run lead, Starc may bowl less overs. Fox Sports Kath Loughnan confirmed Starc will try at some point to bowl.
For the final Test in Sydney, it is thought Starc may be rested to ensure better recovery.
If Australia wins the second Test in Melbourne, the chances of Starc being rested in Sydney will become much more likely.
After one of the most impressive innings of all-time David Warner collapsed for a rare retirement. The cause was due to extreme cramping and exhaustion.
After a torrid time with the bat and no centuries since 2020, Warner shocked everyone in his 100th Test with an amazing innings in hot conditions.
Near 40-degree weather and hours out in the middle took its toll on Warner with massages, chairs and pickle juice all being deployed to keep Warner on his feet.
The 200-run milestone kept Warner going and he could hardly move once reaching the double-ton, cramping up once again. Cramping so badly he needed to be almost carried from the field.
Once helped off the pitch, Warner went straight to the ice bath with Steve Smith confirming his recovery.
“I think he's alright now,” Smith said.
“He's been in the ice bath and was having some food. Hopefully, he can pull up well and get back out there tomorrow.”
Warner will be next to bat on day three confirmed by coach Andrew McDonald. He will resume on 200 not out.
Cameron Green was also forced to retire after copping an ultra-fast Nortje bumper to the finger.
Cricket Australia has confirmed Green will be unable to bowl after it was discovered a small fracture in his right index finger.
Green will feature again with the bat in this Test match and will apparently recover in time for the India tour. This implies that he remains unlikely to feature again for Australia until that tour.
