England thwarted in attempts to add Adam Hollioake to Ashes coaching team

The tourists had hoped to enlist the former allrounder for the fourth Test in Sydney but Covid-19 has intervened

Adam Hollioake will not be added to England's coaching team for the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney.

Chris Silverwood, Jon Lewis, Jeetan Patel and Darren Veness being forced into isolation had led to the tourists embarking on a search for additional resources.

Hollioake, a former Surrey colleague of stand-in head coach Graham Thorpe, had been identified and was undergoing the necessary tests in order to join up with the squad.

But a close contact of the 50-year-old has tested positive for Covid-19, ending hopes of him being added to the group.

England will not be bringing on any additional support for the fourth Test at the SCG, which begins on Tuesday (January 4).

Ant Botha and James Foster remain as the chief support staff to Thorpe, the only permanent member of the now thread-bare coaching team.

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