England head coach Chris Silverwood isolating after family member tests positive for Covid-19

It is the seventh positive case among the support staff and their families on an increasingly challenging tour

England head coach Chris Silverwood will miss the fourth Ashes Test after being forced to isolate following a positive Covid-19 test from a member of his family in Australia.

As per local rules relating to close contacts, Silverwood will remain in self-imposed quarantine for 10 days, meaning he will not be able to take up his duties for the game in Sydney, which is due to start on January 5.

Graham Thorpe, the team's batting coach, will lead the English group in Silverwood's absence.

The family member in question is asymptomatic. They tested positive in the latest round of routine PCR testing for the England touring party in Melbourne on Wednesday.

^{Graham Thorpe will take on head coach duties for the fourth Ashes Test}

Further testing is due to take place on Thursday.

It is the seventh positive case among the support staff and their families on an increasingly challenging tour.

Three of England's backroom team - bowling coaches Jon Lewis and Jeetan Patel, and strength and conditioning coach Darren Veness - and three of their family members have contracted the virus during their stay down under, with the third Test at the MCG briefly called into question following the identification of the first four cases.

One of the seven is understood to be suffering from Covid-19 symptoms, the other six are fine.

None of the players, meanwhile, has returned a positive test during the tour.

The group, minus those in isolation, are due to leave Melbourne on Friday to make the trip to Sydney via a chartered flight. There is no indication at this time that the remainder of the tour is in danger of abandonment or cancellation.

ENGLAND BACKROOM STAFF CURRENTLY ISOLATING

Chris Silverwood (head coach)

Jon Lewis (bowling coach)

Jeetan Patel (bowling coach)

Darren Veness (strength and conditioning coach)

Silverwood now faces a frustrating week and a half away from the team, as his position comes under increasing scrutiny following England's miserable campaign.

England have already lost the series, inside 12 days of playing time, following heavy defeats by nine wickets, 275 runs and an innings and 14 runs, in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.

Pressure is growing for heads to roll as a result, with Silverwood's role perhaps the most obvious to come under the spotlight.

Captain Joe Root, meanwhile, has indicated to senior management that he wants to stay on as skipper beyond the end of the Ashes, and has the dressing room's endorsement.