The fourth and fifth Ashes Test are set to be played in Sydney and Hobart, and Cricket Australia are resisting calls for the rest of the series to be played in Melbourne.
It comes after a COVID scare forced a 30-minute delay to the second day of the Boxing Day Test in the Victorian capital.
Cricket Australia have since confirmed that two of England's staff, and two family members of players, have tested positive to COVID. Everyone involved in the series will be forced into a full PCR test following the completion of Day 2 to ensure the results of rapid tests taken this morning were accurate.
A Channel 7 staff member also tested positive to COVID, forcing the network to use a whole new broadcast team for Day 2.
While Day 2 has proceeded, it's a stark reminder that the Ashes are hanging by a thread. Under current rules in New South Wales and Tasmania, the match would have been abandoned under either states close contact rules.
Instead, Victorian rules meant the match could continue following negative rapid tests.
Michael Vaughan, who had spoken to the English Cricket Board ahead of Day 2, said on Fox Sports' coverage of the match that it was a realistic option for the matches to remain in Melbourne with the risk of travel and heightened restrictions not sitting well with the tourists.
“This is the situation now, it wasn’t the situation a week ago, we have to act and potentially start in here on January 5 under the lights at the MCG,” Vaughan said.
The fifth Test has already been moved from Perth to Hobart.
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley told SEN Radio though that the plan would be stuck to for the time being.
“It’s the same principle – 6000 positives a day in a city (Sydney) of four or five million. It’s testament to the protocols,” Hockley said.
“We’re flying up to Sydney by charter, we’ve got an exclusive hotel for the playing squads. The protocols at this stage will be Level 4.
“People will be able to go out and about but not mingle with the public. It’s tried, it’s tested and the risk levels are certainly … everyone’s being extra, extra vigilant at the moment.”
