Ashes: England Coach Chris Silverwood to miss Fourth Test as family member tests positive

England Head Coach Chris Silverwood has been forced into Covid isolation that will see him miss the Fourth Ashes Test in Sydney next week after a member of his family tested positive for the virus.

England have been subjected to rigorous daily testing since a family member in the 70-strong touring party tested positive on the second morning of the Third Test in Melbourne, which was lost resoundingly as Australia secured the Urn.

A total of seven people have now tested positive in the group: three support staff and four family members.

The member of the Silverwood family, who is asymptomatic, must isolate for ten days and will remain in Melbourne. Silverwood himself is only required by law to isolate for seven days but is keen to stay with his family for their full isolation period.

He may decide, after seven days, that his family are in a stable enough state for him to travel to Sydney.

For now, Silverwood is one of four England support staff unable to travel to Sydney with the team on New Year’s Eve, subject to the final round of testing hat takes place today.

The four are Silverwood as a close contact, as well as those who tested positive: bowling coach Jon Lewis, spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel and Strength and Conditioning Coach Darren Veness. Unsurprisingly, England are looking to rope in additional support for their training sessions in Sydney.

Should that round of testing come back all clear, Assistant Coach Graham Thorpe will be in charge of the team for the Sydney Test.