Trouble seems to be unending for the England cricket team. After suffering a humiliating defeat by an innings and 14 runs against Australia in the third Ashes Test played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), England team are set to miss their coach Chris Silverwood in the fourth Test in Sydney after a family member tested positive for the Coronavirus.
Silverwood was named as a close Covid-19 contact and will miss the fourth Ashes Test. Despite a negative test result, the 46-year-old will not be able to travel into New South Wales with the rest of the team, undertaking his ten-day isolation in Melbourne. It is also learnt that, assistant coach Graham Thorpe will be taking the charge in Silverwood's absence.
ECB's official statement
According to an England Cricket Board (ECB) statement, no member of the playing group has returned a positive test as yet, ahead of the fourth Test in Sydney beginning on January 5, 2021 (next Wednesday).
“The touring party have recorded seven positive cases – three support staff and four family members – since a PCR testing regime was implemented on Monday 27 December.
"A fourth successive round of PCR tests will be administered today (Thursday).
"Both teams – England and Australia – are due to fly to Sydney via a chartered flight on Friday morning.”
Setback for England
It is undoubtedly, another major setback for the Joe Root-led side on a tour where hardly anything has gone right for them, suffering three consecutive defeats in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne to ensure the hosts retained the Ashes Test series with two Tests yet to be played.
Moreover, the timing could not have been worse for Silverwood, as it is pretty discernible that his job is truly on the line. A defeat or two in the series can surely bring an end to his coaching stint with the English team.
The cricketers are scheduled to fly to Sydney on December 31 (Friday) ahead of the fourth test.
Cricket Australia is confident that the Sydney test will go ahead as planned, despite rising cases in the city and the outbreak in England camp.
Both teams will fly to Sydney on a chartered flight and have an entire hotel booked in order to minimize the risk of contracting the virus.
Boon tested positive
The Ashes Test series received another huge jolt after ICC match referee David Boon was tested positive for Covid-19 following a PCR test.
In a statement from Cricket Australia it was communicated that Boon will be out of action for the Sydney Test although it is hoped he will return for the final match of the series.
“The ICC match referee for the Vodafone men’s Ashes series, David Boon, has tested positive to Covid-19 following a PCR Test,” the statement read.
“Steve Bernard, a member of the International Panel of ICC Referees and based in NSW, will take over as match referee for the fourth Ashes Test match, starting on January 5 at the SCG.
“It is anticipated that David Boon will return to the role for the fifth Test in Hobart, starting on January 14. He is asymptomatic and fully vaccinated, including having a booster."
