England tour of Australia: Tim Paine insists Ashes will go ahead ‘whether Joe Root is here or not’

Australia captain Tim Paine said the Ashes will go ahead regardless of some England players' reluctance to deal with tough Covid-19 quarantine restrictions.

Australia Test captain Tim Paine said that the Ashes will begin on December 8 regardless of whether counterpart Joe Root is part of the tour amid ongoing uncertainty about the level of restrictions the tourists may face.

Cricket Australia is negotiating with the government and England and Wales Cricket Board over the exact nature of travel conditions and whether players' families will be able to come.