ENGLAND are confident the Ashes will go ahead – despite the Aussie Grand Prix in November already being cancelled.
The Covid-19 outbreak in the England camp and rise of the Delta variant will worry ultra-safe politicians in Australia.
But team supremo Ashley Giles insisted: “We’re in regular communication with Cricket Australia and the Ashes are on.
“There’s obviously a lot to talk about and there are challenges every day. We want to get cricket on and we’ll do everything possible.”
The Grand Prix in Melbourne was binned because of “restrictions and logistical challenges” related to Covid-19, including a slow vaccine roll-out and a cap on international arrivals.
England players are already worried their wives, partners and families will not be allowed for their traditional Christmas and New Year visit to Australia.
The ECB will also pray England’s seven positive Covid tests will not give Indian cricket chiefs second thoughts about playing the five-Test series beginning on August 4.
Most Indian players have stayed in the UK after losing the World Test Championship final to New Zealand last month.
The series is worth £100million to the ECB in home TV rights.
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Giles added: “It’s important we work closely with the BCCI. We’re hopeful that as summer moves forward we’ll be able to reduce restrictions. One important thing is getting everyone double vaccinated.
“We have a group of young, fit people many of whom will be asymptomatic even if they catch this.”
Positive Covid tests have been growing in county cricket and another fear is that the controversial new Hundred tournament could be affected if a team is forced into isolation.
