NO NEW COVID CASES FOR NOW

DEAN WILSON

BY

THE Ashes series will continue to forge ahead in Sydney and then Hobart with both teams appearing to gain a little control over their Covid outbreaks.

No new positive cases were reported by either side or match officials over a 24-hour period which is the first time that has happened for a week.

There remain concerns over the potential spread of the virus from Australia’s Travis Head (above) to his teammates who may yet still return positive tests in due course.

But for now it is good news that the series has been put back on an even keel with training set to start for England this morning.

For the players there is no desire to see the series affected or postponed by Covid, and there is a far greater understanding of the risks and what they are facing.

England left South Africa with three ODIs still left to play in December 2020 without suffering a single positive case, but there were many more unknowns then than there are now, and crucially no one had been vaccinated.

“As a society and a sport we’re having to try to get used to Covid, and as much as we can we want everything to go forward and play,” said England star Jos Buttler. “A year ago, when something like this happened it was a much bigger shock and more of a worry.

“At the moment it’s still a worry and waiting for a Covid test is a bit like playing roulette.

“But we need to be in a place where Covid doesn’t stop everything. That’s not just cricket, it’s for everyone.

“There will be positive cases throughout the tour. We hoped that wouldn’t be the case, but we’re trying to manage it as best as possible.

“We don’t want to be in a position every time where Covid will simply end an event.”