Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley on Monday (December 27) clarified that the Ashes 2021-22 will go ahead as scheduled despite COVID-19 cases in the England camp.

Four members of the England camp – two support staff and two family members – returned COVID positive hours before the start of the second day in the ongoing Boxing Day Test at MCG.

Subsequently, the team and management underwent rapid antigen tests when they were about to leave their hotel for the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Luckily, all of them tested negative and were given clearance 45 minutes before the second day’s play.

"The affected individuals are currently isolating," Cricket Australia said, adding that the entire playing group returned negative.

"The England cricket team will also have PCR tests today and both teams will take extra precautions throughout play," CA added.

After the emergence of Omicron variant, Coronavirus cases are on the rise in Australia, especially in Sydney, where the fourth Ashes Test is scheduled from January 5 to January 9.

More than 6,000 cases are being reported daily across New South Wales state, where Sydney is located.

However, Hockley said the plan is to carry on with the Ashes but admitted that it is a "day-by-day proposition".

"That's absolutely the plan. There's nothing to suggest otherwise. We'll rely on the protocols. It's a day-by-day proposition," he told reporters.

"I can't tell you the amount of work going on behind the scenes. The diligence of our medical team and players, the diligence with which they're working through each of the protocols is extremely impressive.

"They're very calm, they know this is what they need to do."

He added: "We've got very comprehensive testing regimes and the players have been absolutely fantastic. It's ultimately about everyone taking personal responsibility."

(With AFP inputs)