Ashes or no Ashes? England Cricket Board to announce decision soon

The Ashes series, which is scheduled to begin on December 8,
in Australia is in jeopardy. England cricket officials will announce the
final decision later this week. The tour is in jeopardy due to the several
restrictions that have been put in place in Australia to fight the pandemic.

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Cricket Australia sat for a long video conference on Sunday
which briefed the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) officials on the
expectations during the tour.

It will consist of five tests, which has been the
Ashes norm for several years and span across a duration of eleven weeks.

On Monday the England and Wales Cricket Board said, “We will
continue talking to our players this week to share the latest information and
seek feedback,”

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They added, “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.”

Several England cricketers have expressed apprehensions to
the strict Australian guidelines. The players wish for their families to
accompany them for the long tour which would help lessen their mental stress.

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However, the Australian government is strongly opposed to
the demand due to the country’s stringent travel guidelines.

Several England players are already ruled out of the series
including Moeen Ali who retired from Test cricket, Jofra Archer who is
suffering from an elbow injury and Ben Stokes who is on an indefinite break
from cricket due to mental health reasons.

While the ECB has ensured that there is positive dialogue
with the Australians, it has not stopped the English players from citing their
displeasure about the restrictions publicly.

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The ECB’s statement included, “Over
the weekend we have been talking to England men’s players and management to
provide them with the latest information about the proposed arrangements for
this winter’s scheduled Ashes tour,” 

Last week England captain Joe Root said he was desperate to
partake in the tour however he refused to commit being a part of the squad.

Meanwhile Jos Buttler has declared that he would not travel
to Australia without his family.