Cricket Australia confident of full houses for Ashes despite Covid-19 outbreaks

Victoria and New South Wales remain in Covid-19 lockdown at present, following outbreaks in Sydney and Melbourne, and the state borders are closed

Cricket Australia remain hopeful of permitting fans inside stadiums for the Ashes.

Victoria and New South Wales remain in Covid-19 lockdown at present, following outbreaks in Sydney and Melbourne, and the state borders are closed.

With three months left until the first ball of the series between England and Australia is due to be bowled, however, CA chief executive Nick Hockley remains confident that fans will be able to get inside venues - and a vaccine passport system could help achieve just that.

"I think that's where we will work closely with the health authorities, with the venues, and certainly we obviously want full crowds," Hockley, who cited improving vaccination rates as a reason for optimism, told SEN.

"We want crowds back and enjoying the cricket and that's something we will work through over the coming months and as we have done throughout the last couple of months we'll take our lead from the health authorities. We remain extremely optimistic.

"The Ashes is so big, every Test has its own unique character, in the first instance we'll be doing everything we possibly can to play the schedule as planned and very hopeful and optimistic that we will have crowds.

^{Australia are defending the Ashes this winter}

"We've got a range of protocols that fit any given circumstance and we'll react accordingly. I think it's too early to tell."

The campaign is due to begin in Brisbane on December 8, with the second Test at the Adelaide Oval prior to fixtures at the MCG from Boxing Day and the SCG in the new year.

The five-match series will conclude at Optus Stadium in Perth.

There are still very real concerns among England's Test squad about the stringent quarantine arrangements required of them, and more particularly their families, with as many as 10 actively considering withdrawing from the trip.

Hockley said dialogue with the ECB over the issue continues, but there is hope that an arrangement can be struck that allows a travelling cohort - including partners and children - to accompany the tourists during their stay.

^{England's players still have concerns about making the trip}

The matter is complicated by the Australian national government's policy on returning Australian nationals re-entering the country, with several thousand still waiting to go back home from overseas.

"We're working sensitively and constructively with governments to try and put in the best possible plans for players and support staff for both the England squad and our own squad," Hockley said.

"We'll continue to work through the appropriate channels to try and get support for families to join the tour.

"Both us and the ECB want to field our best possible teams with optimal conditions for them to compete at their absolute best, in what is ultimately the biggest stage in world cricket."