Anderson says England have “stepped up” safety protocols amid Ashes Covid scare

There has been an outbreak of six Covid cases within the England camp, with three support staff and three family members all testing positive

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England bowler James Anderson has revealed they have “stepped up the safety protocols around the dressing room” following a Covid scare within the camp.

Ahead of day two of the third Ashes Test, a member of England’s touring party tested positive for the virus, forcing the entire camp to isolate in their hotel rooms and take a round of lateral flow tests.

Although three further cases emerged, none of the players tested positive and play was able to get underway after a 30-minute delay.

Both England and Australia took more accurate PCR tests after play ended on day two and all the players have again tested negative.

There were two more positive cases within the camp though, with three members of England’s support staff and three family members contracting Covid.

As a result of concerns over the spread of the virus, England have increased their safety protocols, with Anderson revealing the players are now wearing masks in the dressing room and “keeping distance whenever possible”.

He said: “We got on the bus at the usual time at the hotel and then got told to get off it. Then all the lads went back to have lateral flows to make sure we were all okay.

“We were given the all-clear to come into the ground but it’s hard for me to say whether the tour can carry on or not.

“We’ve not been told anything about the future of the tour up to now but as long as the group in at the ground today are negative I can’t see why we can’t carry on.

“As far as I’m aware the whole playing group and the management at the ground today feel fine.

“We’ve stepped up the safety protocols around the dressing room, wearing masks and keeping distance whenever possible as well. “

Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley is adamant that the series will continue as planned, saying: “The tour is not in doubt. I think this is what we have been working towards, this is what the protocols are for.

“We are being extra vigilant as there are increasing cases in the community but our protocols are designed for absolutely this set of events.

“We’ve got strong protocols, comprehensive testing and the players have been fantastic.”