Travis Head has tested positive to COVID on Friday morning, delaying Australia's flight to Sydney as Cricket Australia scramble to ensure the infection hasn't spread.
While England have now recorded seven positive cases within their camp, they have all been to either families of players, or staff members, with no players yet returning a positive test.
Head's infection is the first in either playing group for the Ashes though, with a routing PCR test returning the result.
Under Victorian health rules, he will now need to isolate in Melbourne for seven days, which rules him out of the Sydney Test. Cricket Australia have confirmed he is asymptomatic however, meaning he will be likely able to return for the Hobart Test.
The remainder of Australia's travelling party are undergoing tests at the time of writing and are still hopeful of travelling to Sydney today.
"As part of our testing procedures, we are PCR testing players, their families and our support staff daily," said a Cricket Australia spokesperson.
"Unfortunately, Travis returned a positive Covid-19 result earlier today. Thankfully, he is asymptomatic at this stage.
"We anticipate that he will be available to play in the fifth Vodafone men's Ashes Test in Hobart."
Australia have brought Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis into the squad as additional cover, however, it's expected that Usman Khawaja will now be the man to step in at bat at number five in the absence of Head of the Sydney Test.
