England are already down 0-3 in the ongoing Ashes series against Australia. (AP image)
The fourth Test is to start from January 5.
- PTI
- Last Update:Jan 02, 2022, 13:52 IS
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England’s preparations for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia took another hit on Sunday when one of their net bowlers tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the cancellation of their training session with other net bowlers, who have been named Close contact was considered. Having already won the series after three consecutive defeats, England suffered a fresh setback when the tourists planned to induct former one-day captain Adam Holyoke into the team’s coaching staff, media reports said.
The fourth Test is scheduled to start from January 5. Earlier in the week, members of England’s set-up cleared a round of COVID-19 testing after two from their support staff just before Day 2 of the Ashes Test at the MCG. Two of their families returned positive for the virus.
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As a result of the positive cases, the start of the game was delayed. The visitors prepare for the fourth Test with a skeleton coaching staff after a family member tested positive for COVID after head coach Chris Silverwood was forced into isolation.
Pace bowling coach John Lewis, spin mentor Jeetan Patel and strength and conditioning specialist Darren Waynes have also tested positive. This has left assistant coach Graham Thorpe in charge of the team for the upcoming match.
Former England batsman Thorpe is getting the support of Nottinghamshire’s Ant Botha and former England wicketkeeper James Foster. Hollioke, a former England one-day captain who lives on the Gold Coast, was asked to join the tourists in Sydney.
However, media reports on Sunday said that a close contact of 50-year-old Holioke has later tested positive. Australia, like the rest of the world, has seen a spurt in COVID cases in recent weeks.
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