Play at the MCG for Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test is set to commence after a half-an-hour delay to accommodate for early drama out of the England camp surrounding a COVID-19 scare.
After a delay in leaving their team hotel, it was announced that England would depart and arrive at the MCG around 10am, allowing for a shortened warmup before starting at 11am.
The concerning news came to light when England Cricket released a statement this morning confirming that a travelling family member had returned a positive test for COVID-19.
LIVE UPDATES: COVID chaos halts Boxing Day Test
READ MORE: Root’s future on the line amidst Ashes calamity
As a result, the entire playing group and all other support staff were unable to leave their hotel until undertaking rapid antigen tests and being cleared of the virus.
Cricket Australia has since been informed that two members of the England Cricket Team’s support staff and two of their family members have returned a positive COVID-19 rapid antigen test.
The affected individuals are now isolating.
The only England player to participate in usual preparations was skipper Joe Root, who arrived at the ground earlier this morning.
After being held in the changerooms for a period of time, Root was able to take to the field and complete a warmup.
“The England team and management are currently at the team hotel awaiting results of RFT COVID tests following a positive test in the team’s family group,” England Cricket said in a statement.
“We will provide more information in due course.”
https://twitter.com/englandcricket/status/1475231379117920256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Family members of both the Australia and England players have been asked not to attend the MCG and spend the day at their team hotels.
It is understood that officials will meet once play starts to discuss potential measures and restrictions to allow the remainder of the Ashes series to be completed undisrupted.
The England Cricket team will also have PCR tests later today.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!