Travis Head tests positive for Covid-19 as Ashes series hangs in the balance

Head, the Aussie middle-order batsman, saw his routine PCR test come back positive, meaning both England and Australia, and the match officials have seen cases, leaving the series hanging precariously

The Ashes Covid-19 outbreak spread into the Australian dressing room on Friday as it was revealed that Travis Head has returned a positive test.

Head, the Aussie middle-order batsman, saw his routine PCR test come back positive, meaning both England and Australia, and the match officials have now seen cases, leaving the series hanging precariously.

Head is asymptomatic but must remain in isolation in Melbourne for seven days, as per local government rules.

He did not join his teammates on their trip to Sydney on Friday and will not be available for selection for the fourth Test against England, which is due to start at the SCG on January 5.

^{Travis Head has returned a positive Covid-19 Test (Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)}

A Cricket Australia spokesperson said: "As part of our testing procedures, we are PCR testing players, their families and our support staff daily.  Unfortunately, Travis returned a positive Covid-19 result earlier today.   

"Thankfully, he is asymptomatic at this stage.  We anticipate that he will be available to play in the fifth Vodafone men’s Ashes Test in Hobart.

"We are grateful to our exceptional medical staff for all the work they have done throughout this series and we will continue to work with and support the players, their families and staff from both teams."

Three England coaches - Jon Lewis, Jeetan Patel and Darren Veness - and four family members have tested positive, as well as ICC match referee David Boon. England head coach Chris Silverwood, meanwhile, is in isolation after being deemed a close contact.

Head will miss the fourth Ashes Test (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

While it remains to be seen how many more cases are identified between now and the scheduled start of the fourth Test, there are currently no plans to cancel or postpone the series.

That is in contrast to the Big Bash, where one match has already been pushed back as a result of an outbreak: Melbourne Stars against Perth Scorchers was delayed following one positive test result from a backroom staff member, with the franchise subsequently discovering a total of 15 Covid-positive cases. 

England have already lost the Ashes, having been defeated in each of the first three games of the series.

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