England head coach Chris Silverwood is all set to miss the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney after coming into close contact with a positive COVID-19 case. He will be in isolation for 10 days and with this, seven members in the England camp has been tested positive for the virus as well.
Cricket England has recently released a statement regarding this, which read: “Following the latest round of PCR tests administered to the England men’s touring party on 29 Wednesday December, one family member has tested positive. Our Men’s Head Coach Chris Silverwood will have to isolate for 10 days, along with his family, in Melbourne and will miss the fourth Ashes Test.”
However, the covid had threatened the game in the Boxing Day Test after four members of England contracted the virus. Two coaching staff and a family member has returned positive in the recent testing as well. And now, in Silverwood’s absence, Graham Thorpe will take over the reins.
Chris Silverwood Under The Scanner After Ashes Drubbing
However, Chris Silverwood has been under the scanner after their rather forgettable performance in the ongoing Ashes. They have lost three Tests so far. And, the coach still backed the team and hopes to bounce back soon as well.
Meanwhile, England will undergo yet another round of tests later today. The teams will then travel to Sydney via a charter plane. However, Cricket Australia chose to stick with their earlier plan despite the increasing number of cases in the New South Wales area. Notably, the state government has claimed that the fixture will continue even if there is a COVID outbreak within the team as well.
On the other hand, Cricket Australia has stated earlier that they are prepared for such an outbreak even before the Ashes series started. However, after Sydney, the teams will travel to Blundstone Arena in Hobart, where the final Ashes Test will take place. Coach Chris Silverwood is likely to be there in the game, which is scheduled to begin on January 14 as well.
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