The Ashes series is hanging by a thread after four non-playing members of England’s touring group tested positive to COVID-19 in Melbourne.

In the biggest threat to the series so far, two support staff and two of their family members returned positive rapid antigen tests.

Day two of the third Test on Monday was delayed by 30 minutes as England were held back at their hotel to return negative rapid tests. 

Each player will undergo a further PCR test after play, with extra provisions taken including the wearing of masks and gloves outside the boundary.

Cricket Australia was adamant that the series could continue as planned, but there are significant grounds for concern.

England have already had two tours called off mid-trip in the past two years through COVID-19, while a home Test against India was also cancelled earlier this year.

In that case, four members of India’s backroom staff had contracted the virus amid fears of a bigger outbreak.

But a defiant CA boss Nick Hockley insisted that situation in the Ashes was entirely different.

“We just need to remain calm and get the facts,” Hockley said. 

“Everyone needs to follow the medical advice. On that basis, we keep going.

“We’ve been working on the plans for this tour for over six months.

“Our protocols are designed for absolutely this set of events. We’ve got strong protocols. We’ve got very comprehensive testing regimes.”

If further dramas hit, like-for-like substitute players can be called in, after being approved by the ICC last year for players showing symptoms.

But a full-scale outbreak would no doubt spell a disaster for CA and the series, with each Test a multi-million dollar product for the sport.

Questions also now linger over the locations of the rest of the series with the final two Tests set for Sydney and Hobart.

Under current rules in both NSW and Tasmania, England’s entire team would have been forced to isolate for seven days had they been deemed close contacts.

In essence, it means the Test would have likely been called off on Monday morning had it been played in any other state other than Victoria.

Following the third Test, players from both sides will be taken from Melbourne to Sydney in a chartered flight and put up in private accommodation.

But despite NSW averaging more than 6000 cases per day in recent days, Hockley insisted there was no need to change the schedule.

“That’s not part of our current planning,” Hockley said.

“There’s nothing to suggest otherwise. We’ll rely on the protocols. It’s a day-by-day proposition.”

The latest drama comes after Australian skipper Pat Cummins was ruled out of the Adelaide Test after becoming a close contact of a COVID-19 case at a restaurant on the match eve.

The Seven Network required a complete overhaul of their commentary team on Monday, after each of their day-one commentators were deemed close contacts to a case in their broadcast staff.

AAP

Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.