England officials to announce this week if the Ashes will go ahead as scheduled

England cricket officials will announce this week if the scheduled Ashes series in Australia will go ahead. The tour is in doubt because of restrictions in place in Australia due to the pandemic.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said Monday (October 4) that there is a regular and positive dialogue with Cricket Australia about arrangements for an Ashes tour with health and wellbeing at the forefront. We will continue talking to our players this week to share the latest information and seek feedback, the ECB said.

Later this week the ECB Board will meet to decide whether the conditions in place are sufficient for the Tour to go ahead and enable the selection of a squad befitting a series of this significance.

However, Australia captain Tim Paine said last month that he remains confident of the tour going ahead as planned. 

"Well, the Ashes are going ahead -- the first Test is on December 8 whether Joe's (Root) here or not," he told SEN sports radio.

"They're trying to get themselves the best possible conditions they can, but at the end of the day, we all are. It will be worked out above us and then they'll make a decision whether or not they'll get on that plane. There will be a squad of England players coming here for the first Test on December 8th," he added.

The series will begin on December 8 with the first Test scheduled to be played at The Gabba.

(With inputs from AFP)