Tim Paine insists "the Ashes are going ahead"

The Australia captain says the five-Test series will get underway on December 8 whether Joe Root travels or not

Australia Test captain Tim Paine is adamant the Ashes will go ahead as planned regardless of whether England captain Joe Root decides to travel or not.

The comments come after Root said it was "hard" to make a decision over whether to tour without knowing the full details of the conditions under which the series will take place.

Cricket Australia have sent the ECB information around what restrictions will be in place and it is hoped a squad could be announced next week.

The series is due to kick-off on December 8 at The Gabba, before moving onto the Adelaide Oval, MCG, SCG and Optus Stadium.

“Well, the Ashes are going ahead – the first Test is on December 8 whether Joe’s here or not,"  Paine told SEN.

“They all want to come, there’s no doubt about it. 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 as we’ve said many times 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 8.”