Chris Silverwood was due to miss fourth Test anyway and will now return ahead of fifth Test in Hobart from January 14; England’s latest training session disrupted by positive Covid test among net bowlers; former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath tests positive ahead of Sydney Test
Last Updated: 02/01/22 7:26am
England head coach Chris Silverwood has tested positive for Covid-19 while isolating with family in Melbourne.
Silverwood was already due to miss the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney having entered quarantine when one of his family was caught up in the initial coronavirus outbreak in the touring camp.
Assistant coach Graham Thorpe will lead the side in Silverwood’s absence as England look to chalk up their first win of the series, with Australia having taken an unassailable 3-0 lead and retained the Ashes following an innings win at the MCG.
Silverwood, 46, is set to re-join the England team in time for the fifth and final Test in Hobart from January 14.
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Jonathan Trott says Joe Root has earned the right to decide his own future, and urges England to stick with both him and head coach Chris Silverwood.
A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board read: “England men’s head coach Chris Silverwood has tested positive for Covid-19.
“Silverwood has been isolating in Melbourne since December 30 following a positive test from one of his family members. He will remain in isolation until January 8. Silverwood is asymptomatic and is fully vaccinated
“He is expected to return to the England party in Hobart ahead of the fifth Ashes Test.”
England had already announced that Adam Hollioake will now not join the coaching set-up ahead of the fourth Test due to a close contact of his testing positive for Covid.
Hollioake had been due to assist England with Silverwood, pace bowling coach Jon Lewis, spin mentor Jeetan Patel and strength and conditioning specialist Darren Veness all isolating.
England session disrupted by positive case among net bowlers
Local net bowlers were removed from England’s latest training session after a positive Covid case emerged.
England’s batters were being put through their paces by club cricketers but net bowlers were asked to leave the session after around 40 minutes.
That left captain Joe Root to help out – the 31-year-old delivering balls to batters with the dog stick – and a number of other extended support staff, from the medical and communications teams, also helping with drills.
An England spokesperson said: “As soon as we became aware of the positive test, net bowlers were removed from supporting our practice. Practice remained in place until we finished at 1.00pm and that positive case did not cancel practice.”
England have also undergone another round of daily PCR tests – their seventh in eight days since positives in the camp were recorded.
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Sky Sports News’ James Cole says Australia will be concerned after batsman Travis Head tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the fourth Ashes Test.
Only one Ashes player has so far tested positive for Covid – Australia batter Travis Head.
Head will miss the Sydney Test – Usman Khawaja the frontrunner to replace his fellow left-hander at No 5 in the home side’s batting order.
McGrath tests positive for Covid-19
Match referee David Boon will also sit out the Test at the SCG due to contracting Covid, as will former Australia seamer Glenn McGrath.
McGrath has hosted a breast cancer fundraiser and awareness campaign during the New Year Test in Sydney for the past 13 years, in honour of his late wife Jane, who passed away from breast cancer in 2008.
McGrath is hoping to attend day three, when the SCG is decked out in pink for the McGrath Foundation, but is currently in isolation following a positive result.