Putting Monday morning's COVID-19 scare behind them, Jimmy Anderson led the English attack to their best sustained play so far in this Ashes series.

But to continue the fightback, their top order had to stand firm in the last hour after trailing by 82 on the first innings.

Instead, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland mauled them and the tourists were reduced to 4-31 at stumps.

They need 51 to make Australia bat again and a miracle to force the Test into a fourth day.

Captain Joe Root (12no) and Ben Stokes (2no) will resume on Tuesday morning.

Anderson was careful not to apportion any blame as England yet again find themselves in disarray.

"It's dangerous to start talking about, certainly as a bowler talking about our batting.

"We're a team here, all working really hard, trying to put in much better performances.

"All I can see from the batting group is how hard they're working to try and put things right.

"I don't want to get into too much of a bowlers vs batters thing. We're a team here."

Anderson led the way with 4-33 - he deserved a five-for - and felt it was the best he had bowled in Australia since 2010.

"I changed ends today and felt much better ... I felt like I was challenging (with) every ball," he said.

Asked why he was left out of the first Test, Anderson said he felt ready to go.

"I felt I was fit for that game but the decision was made that I missed the game. So there is no point talking about that now," he said.

After feeling "a little rusty" in the second Test, Anderson hit his straps superbly at the MCG.

He and the rest of the England attack briefly had turned a potential COVID-19 "game over" into a third Ashes Test "game on".

After two dismal losses, England must win the Boxing Day Test if they are to miraculously win the series and reclaim the Ashes.

But Monday did not start well - England were kept at their hotel after four positive tests among support staff and their partners.

They were only allowed to head to the MCG after all the players returned negative rapid test results, with play starting half an hour late.

Anderson and his teammates had more post-game COVID-19 tests and he was unsure what will happen next.

"We've not been told anything. That will get talked about by much more important people than me if and when those results come back," he said.

"As far as I am aware the whole playing group feel fine, and the management in at the ground today feel fine."

Australian Associated Press